Government Shutdown Hits Airports, Spares Immigration Enforcement

TSA and Coast Guard workers struggle without pay, but ICE and CBP continue crackdown thanks to multi-year funding

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The partial government shutdown has led to chaos at airports across the country, with TSA and Coast Guard workers facing staffing shortages and going without pay. However, the Department of Homeland Security's immigration enforcement agencies, ICE and CBP, have continued their crackdown unabated thanks to multi-year funding secured through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last year.

Why it matters

The uneven impact of the shutdown highlights the Trump administration's priorities, with immigration enforcement agencies like ICE and CBP insulated from budget battles while other DHS components struggle. Democrats are demanding reforms to curb ICE and CBP's powers, but the agencies' funding has made them resistant to political pressure.

The details

Despite the partial government shutdown, ICE has continued arresting and detaining immigrants, including a Nashville-based journalist with a pending asylum claim. CBP has also continued scouting locations for its 'smart wall' along the U.S.-Mexico border. This is possible because the OBBBA, passed last fall, provided ICE and CBP with a combined $170 billion in funding through 2029, including $45 billion for new detention centers and $30 billion to hire and train personnel.

  • The partial government shutdown has lasted for 4 weeks as of early March 2026.
  • ICE deported an estimated 56,000 people and held 65,000 in detention during a 43-day funding lapse last fall.

The players

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement, border security, and other homeland security functions.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

A DHS component agency that is responsible for enforcing federal immigration laws, including arresting and detaining undocumented immigrants.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

A DHS component agency that is responsible for border security, including the construction of a 'smart wall' along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

A DHS component agency responsible for airport security screening, which has been severely impacted by the government shutdown.

Chuck Schumer

Senate Minority Leader, a Democratic lawmaker who has called for reforms to ICE and CBP.

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What they’re saying

“These are common-sense reforms, ones that Americans know and expect from law enforcement.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (Press conference)

“The problems at this agency transcend any one person. The rot is deep. The president has to end the violence and rein in ICE.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (Press conference)

What’s next

Senate Democrats have blocked the House's appropriations bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, demanding reforms to ICE and CBP as a condition of ending the partial government shutdown.

The takeaway

The uneven impact of the government shutdown on DHS agencies highlights the Trump administration's prioritization of immigration enforcement over other homeland security functions. While TSA and the Coast Guard struggle with staffing shortages and lack of pay, ICE and CBP continue their crackdown thanks to multi-year funding that has insulated them from political pressure.