The Department of Homeland Security is calling back thousands of employees who were furloughed after the partial government shutdown began Feb. 14, directing components to restore staffing for mission needs even as the appropriations lapse continues, according to Federal News Network.
- Agency: Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Action: Recalling furloughed employees to return to duty during the shutdown
- Scale: Thousands of DHS workers affected (exact totals vary by component), per Federal News Network
- Timing: Shutdown began Feb. 14; recall notices and reporting instructions are being issued during the lapse, per Federal News Network
- What employees should expect: Component-level guidance on when/where to report, timekeeping, and pay status while appropriations remain lapsed
- Pay implications: Federal employees affected by a shutdown are generally covered by the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, which provides back pay after funding is restored; DHS employees should follow official timekeeping instructions to ensure accurate pay processing, per Federal News Network’s reporting and existing federal shutdown policy
DHS’s move comes amid a continuing partial shutdown that has already triggered furloughs across parts of the federal workforce. Federal News Network reported DHS is bringing employees back as operational demands shift and as the department reassesses which positions are needed to sustain critical functions during the funding gap.
For employees, the immediate issue is status: some workers initially placed in furlough may be moved back into a working status (often associated with “excepted” or otherwise directed duties during a lapse), which can change day-to-day reporting requirements. DHS components typically issue recall instructions through official channels (email, supervisor notification, component intranet postings) with details on reporting location, tour of duty, telework eligibility (if any), and required timekeeping codes.
What it means for you
- Watch for official instructions. Do not assume your prior furlough notice still governs your status; follow the latest written direction from your chain of command.
- Track your time carefully. Whether you are furloughed or recalled, accurate timekeeping is critical for correct pay and any later back pay processing.
- Expect pay to be delayed during the lapse. Even if recalled, pay may not be issued on the normal schedule until appropriations are enacted, depending on payroll processing and funding availability.
- Plan for changes. Recall decisions can vary by component and may change as DHS updates mission requirements. For shutdown basics and employee rights, see FedBrief’s guide: https://fedbrief.org/ (shutdown policy resources).
Source: Federal News Network, “DHS calling furloughed staff back to work despite shutdown” (Apr. 2026), https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-shutdown/2026/04/dhs-calling-furloughed-staff-back-to-work-despite-shutdown/