Overview

• DHS says more than 19,600 of ICE’s roughly 21,000 employees will keep working during the funding lapse, though they will not be paid until it ends.
• USCIS will continue processing applications with more than 21,500 of over 22,400 staff on duty as fee-funded operations persist, though functions tied to other agencies and E‑Verify could slow.
• ICE publicly rejected claims that a shutdown opens the border, stating that immigration laws and enforcement remain unchanged and unauthorized crossings remain a crime.
• CBP is designated essential and remains operational, and recent activity included federal deployments to Chicago and ongoing detentions in Texas, where TRAC reported over 13,400 people in custody as of Sept. 15.
• Employees are entitled to retroactive pay under federal law, the shutdown’s duration is uncertain, and closures include the Capitol Visitor Center, Botanic Garden, and Library of Congress as OMB Director Russell Vought briefs Republicans.