Immigration Battle Triggers Another Government Shutdown

Partial DHS shutdown shakes up midterm elections as immigration reforms remain elusive

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Department of Homeland Security has entered a partial government shutdown after a two-week funding extension expired without a bipartisan agreement on immigration reforms. While core agencies like ICE and CBP remain operational, the lapse forces roughly 95% of TSA agents and thousands of FEMA employees to work without pay, echoing the financial strain of a previous 43-day shutdown.

Why it matters

The latest government shutdown over immigration policy comes as the nation marks the federal holiday for Washington's birthday and as the 2026 midterm elections loom, potentially shaking up key Senate races like the one in North Carolina.

The details

The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security was triggered by the expiration of a two-week funding extension without a bipartisan deal on immigration reforms. While critical agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) remain operational due to existing funding streams, the lapse forces roughly 95% of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and thousands of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees to work without pay.

  • The two-week funding extension expired on February 16, 2026, leading to the partial DHS shutdown.

The players

Michael Whatley

Republican candidate for the North Carolina Senate and former RNC Chairman.

Patrick Spero

Historian and CEO of the American Philosophical Society, featured in the FOX Nation series "The White House".

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.