What happens to border security and Border Patrol operations during this time?
During a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding lapse, immigration enforcement operations conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are generally expected to continue with minimal interruption to personnel pay or core enforcement functions, as these agencies often retain funding from previous appropriations or are deemed essential (https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2026/02/13/what-to-know-about-the-homeland-security-shutdown-starting-this-weekend/). While essential services remain active, other DHS components, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and potentially other support staff, may be required to work without pay, which can lead to operational strains in areas like airport security and disaster response readiness (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/us/politics/dhs-shutdown-impact-ice-tsa-coast-guard.html). Understanding the distinction between "essential" and "non-essential" functions within DHS is key to grasping the real-world impact of such a political event on national security infrastructure.
### How are essential functions, specifically CBP and ICE operations, insulated from a funding lapse?
Essential functions within border security, namely the work carried out by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), are typically insulated from immediate operational halts during a DHS shutdown because they were often funded through separate, earlier congressional actions or are legally mandated to continue (https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2026/02/13/what-to-know-about-the-homeland-security-shutdown-starting-this-weekend/). Specifically, reports indicate that ICE and CBP operations will "mostly continue unabated" (https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2026/02/13/what-to-know-about-the-homeland-security-shutdown-starting-this-weekend/). This continuity is crucial as border security is considered an ongoing, non-discretionary national defense function. However, this does not mean there is *no* impact; while agents continue to patrol and process individuals, the agency's ability to implement non-essential administrative tasks, procure specific new equipment, or deploy certain administrative personnel may be curtailed or delayed (https://www.dhs.gov/archive/news/2023/09/28/fact-sheet-impact-government-shutdown-dhs-workforce).
### What parts of DHS not directly involved in enforcement are most affected by working without pay?
The impact of a shutdown is most acutely felt by DHS personnel deemed "non-excepted" or essential but non-funded by prior appropriations, forcing them to work without immediate pay. Approximately 95% of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) workforce is generally required to report to work during a lapse without being compensated (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/us/politics/dhs-shutdown-impact-ice-tsa-coast-guard.html). Similarly, disaster response agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must maintain high staffing levels, meaning nearly 85% of its employees are often expected to work without pay to cover ongoing emergencies (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/us/politics/dhs-shutdown-impact-ice-tsa-coast-guard.html). This puts direct strain on the personnel who ensure public safety outside of the immediate border line.
### What secondary impacts might travelers and infrastructure security face?
Beyond immediate border patrol, travelers and critical infrastructure security face noticeable secondary impacts. The non-paid status of TSA officers can lead to operational strain, potentially resulting in longer wait times and flight delays at airports (https://www.dhs.gov/archive/news/2023/09/28/fact-sheet-impact-government-shutdown-dhs-workforce). Furthermore, the deployment of new security technology at airports can be delayed during a funding lapse (https://www.dhs.gov/archive/news/2023/09/28/fact-sheet-impact-government-shutdown-dhs-workforce). In the realm of cybersecurity, while the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) remains vital, the overall administrative slowdown can affect routine operations and scheduled maintenance for protecting critical national systems.
### How does the political negotiation surrounding the shutdown influence border security policy?
The political negotiations surrounding a DHS funding lapse often center directly on immigration policy, turning the funding debate into leverage for broader policy changes. For instance, Senate Democrats have previously blocked measures to keep the department open unless certain conditions related to the conduct of federal immigration officers are addressed (https://www.npr.org/2026/02/12/nx-s1-5712744/dhs-shutdown). This linkage demonstrates that while current enforcement operations may continue due to existing funding, the very terms under which those operations will be funded in the future—and the policy directives guiding them—are directly contingent upon the success or failure of these high-stakes appropriations discussions (https://www.npr.org/2026/02/12/nx-s1-5712744/dhs-shutdown).
## Key Takeaways
* **Enforcement Continuity:** Core CBP and ICE enforcement activities are likely to continue operating, often due to prior funding infusions or essential status.
* **Personnel Strain:** Significant portions of the DHS workforce outside of direct enforcement, such as TSA and FEMA staff, are often required to work without immediate pay, risking morale and service quality.
* **Operational Delays:** The acquisition of new security technology and non-emergency administrative functions across the department can be temporarily paused or significantly delayed.
* **Policy Leverage:** DHS funding negotiations are frequently utilized by lawmakers to push for substantive changes or restraints on current immigration enforcement policies.
The immediate effect of a DHS shutdown on physical border crossings is often masked by essential service designations, but the underlying administrative and service integrity of the entire security apparatus is placed under significant stress. The true measure of impact lies not just in the patrols that continue, but in the potential risks introduced by operational freezes elsewhere and the political leverage exercised during the crisis.
## References
* https://abc7news.com/post/homeland-security-shutdown-seems-certain-funding-talks-between-white-house-democrats-stall/18595445/
* https://www.dhs.gov/archive/news/2023/09/28/fact-sheet-impact-government-shutdown-dhs-workforce
* https://www.adn.com/nation-world/2026/02/13/what-to-know-about-the-homeland-security-shutdown-starting-this-weekend/
* https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/12/us/politics/dhs-shutdown-impact-ice-tsa-coast-guard.html
* https://www.npr.org/2026/02/12/nx-s1-5712744/dhs-shutdown
