House Approves Bipartisan DHS Funding, Excluding Immigration Enforcement, Ending Historic Shutdown

After weeks of deadlock, the House of Representatives voted to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), excluding immigration enforcement agencies, and sent the bipartisan bill to President Donald Trump for signature, ending the longest shutdown in the agency's history.

This partial funding resolves immediate operational risks for TSA and other DHS personnel, but the contentious debate over immigration enforcement funding continues, highlighting deep political divisions and setting the stage for a separate budget process to address those issues.

Historic Shutdown Ends Amidst Political Tensions

The DHS has been operating without routine funding since February 14, causing significant strain on its workforce. The House's swift voice vote to pass the funding bill marked a sudden resolution to a months-long impasse triggered by President Trump's aggressive immigration policies and the resulting political fallout.

Immigration Enforcement Funding Remains a Flashpoint

Democrats refused to allocate funds to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol without reforms following fatal shootings during protests in Minneapolis. Republicans opposed separating funding for TSA and other DHS components from immigration enforcement, prolonging the stalemate.

It is about damn time.—Rep. Rosa DeLauro, top Democrat on House Appropriations Committee

New Budget Strategy to Address Immigration Funding Separately

To break the deadlock, Republicans initiated a budget reconciliation process to fund immigration enforcement independently. This approach, approved by the House in a narrow vote, aims to secure $70 billion for ICE and Border Patrol through the remainder of Trump's term, bypassing Democratic opposition.

Isolating the immigration-related money on a separate track is offensive to the men and women who serve in ICE and Border Patrol, and are serving this country every single day.—Rep. Chip Roy, Texas

Urgent Funding Needed to Prevent Operational Disruptions

The White House warned that temporary funds used to pay TSA and other DHS workers were running out, risking airport disruptions. Over 1,000 TSA officers have resigned since the shutdown began, intensifying calls from the airline industry for stable funding.

• DHS has been without routine funding since February 14.
• Temporary funds for TSA and other personnel are nearly depleted.
• More than 1,000 TSA officers have quit amid funding uncertainty.
• Congress approved $170 billion last year for immigration enforcement salaries.
• A separate $70 billion budget resolution is underway for immigration enforcement.

Looking Ahead: Immigration Funding Vote Expected by June

With the budget resolution passed, lawmakers will draft the immigration enforcement funding bill, targeting a vote in May. President Trump has expressed his desire to have the bill signed by June 1, aiming to secure funding for deportations and border security through the end of his term in January 2029.