U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans to divert contingency funding to keep more than 57,600 employees paid during a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, reducing the number of workers facing furloughs or delayed paychecks, according to Federal News Network.
- Agency: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), within DHS
- Action: CBP will use funding from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” to cover pay for certain employees during the shutdown
- Scale: More than 57,600 CBP employees would be exempted and paid under the plan, CBP told Federal News Network
- Impact: The move could shrink the pool of CBP personnel affected by furloughs or delayed pay while the DHS shutdown continues
- Funding mechanism: CBP described the approach as diverting available funds tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to sustain payroll for covered employees
- Shutdown context: The plan is specific to a DHS shutdown scenario, where normal appropriations are not available and agencies must determine which functions and employees can continue operating under available authorities
CBP is one of the largest operational components of DHS, with a workforce that includes Border Patrol agents, CBP officers at ports of entry, Air and Marine Operations personnel, mission support staff, and other employees whose roles may be designated as essential or otherwise covered under shutdown planning. During shutdowns, many DHS employees continue working because their duties are tied to national security, border security, or other excepted activities—but pay can still be delayed until Congress passes a funding measure.
Federal News Network reported CBP’s funding plan is intended to keep a significant segment of its workforce receiving pay during the lapse in appropriations. By tapping funds provided under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, CBP aims to reduce disruption for employees and maintain continuity of operations during the shutdown period.
For employees, the practical question is whether your position is included in the group CBP says it can pay using the diverted funds. Workers not covered could still face delayed pay or furlough status depending on their role and the duration of the shutdown. Employees should monitor official CBP/DHS shutdown guidance and internal communications for determinations affecting their pay status, timekeeping, and reporting requirements.
Source: Federal News Network (FNN) — Pay, “CBP to divert funding to pay some employees during DHS shutdown” (Feb. 2026), https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-shutdown/2026/02/cbp-to-divert-funding-to-pay-some-employees-during-dhs-shutdown/