DHS Recalls Furloughed Employees Amid Shutdown

Trump administration orders DHS to bring back all workers despite ongoing budget impasse.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:35am

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A fractured, abstract painting of a DHS agent's uniform and badge, the pieces repeating and overlapping in a blur of red, white, and blue colors, conveying the chaotic energy of the government shutdown.The Trump administration's order to recall all furloughed DHS employees reflects the turbulent political climate surrounding immigration and border security.Washington Today

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has ordered all furloughed employees to return to work on their next scheduled workday, despite the ongoing partial government shutdown. The recall notice cites an emergency order from President Trump to pay DHS workers their lost compensation during the shutdown.

Why it matters

The DHS has over 270,000 employees, many of whom are considered 'essential' and required to work during a government shutdown. This move by the Trump administration aims to restore full staffing at the agency, even as Congress has yet to agree on a new DHS budget.

The details

According to the recall notice, all currently furloughed DHS employees must return to duty on their next regularly scheduled workday, which for most will be Monday. The notice references an April 3 memo from the White House in which President Trump signed an order to pay DHS workers the equivalent compensation and benefits lost during the partial shutdown.

  • The partial U.S. government shutdown has been ongoing for nearly two months.
  • DHS employees received the recall notice on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who signed an emergency order to pay DHS employees during the partial government shutdown.

Markwayne Mullin

The DHS chief who will be utilizing available funding to recall the entire DHS workforce.

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What they’re saying

“The workforce's paychecks are now being processed.”

— DHS Spokesperson

The takeaway

This move by the Trump administration to recall all furloughed DHS employees underscores the ongoing political tensions over immigration policy and border security, even as Congress remains deadlocked on a new DHS budget.