Department of Homeland Security Employees Ordered Back to Work

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has instructed all furloughed employees to return to work, even with the ongoing partial government shutdown, as indicated in a notice sent to employees on Friday.

This recall notice specifies that furloughed employees should report back on their next scheduled workday, which will typically be Monday for most.

The notice mentions a memo from April 3, where President Trump authorized an emergency order to compensate DHS employees for wages and benefits lost during the shutdown period.

Administration officials confirmed that DHS has officially called employees back to work, directing that they be compensated as per the President’s orders from last week.

The partial government shutdown has persisted for almost two months now. A majority of DHS employees are deemed “essential,” which means they are required to work during this shutdown. The agency employs about 270,000 individuals.

Lawmakers have yet to reach an agreement on funding DHS for the 2026 fiscal year.

Critics, particularly Democrats, have voiced concerns regarding Trump’s immigration policies, especially the increase in agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which operates under DHS.

Rights organizations have also condemned the Trump administration’s approach, arguing that it infringes on due process and free speech, creating a precarious situation, particularly for minority communities.

President Trump has defended his administration’s actions, stating that they are focused on enhancing national security and combating illegal immigration.

ICE has faced heightened scrutiny recently after two Americans were shot and killed by federal agents in Minnesota earlier this year.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin is reportedly “planning to utilize available funds to bring all DHS employees back,” as stated by a DHS spokesperson who attributed the partial shutdown to Democratic actions.

Additionally, it was noted that employee payrolls are in the process of being managed.