The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown entered its fourth week after DHS funding lapsed at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 13, leaving the department operating under shutdown procedures as Congress and the White House remain at an impasse over appropriations, according to the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE).
- Funding lapse date: DHS appropriations expired Feb. 13; no extension was enacted before the deadline, NARFE reported.
- Duration: The shutdown is now in its fourth week, per NARFE.
- Scope: The lapse affects DHS operations and employees, with many functions curtailed and some personnel required to continue working under shutdown rules, NARFE said.
- Cause: Congress and the president did not reach agreement on a DHS funding extension or full-year appropriations before the deadline, NARFE reported.
- Status: Lawmakers remain at an appropriations impasse, with DHS still unfunded as of March 10, according to NARFE.
Brief context
DHS is typically funded through annual appropriations. When appropriations lapse without a continuing resolution or enacted full-year bill, agencies implement shutdown plans that generally separate personnel into those required to work to protect life and property and those placed in a non-duty, non-pay status until funding is restored. NARFE’s March 10 report said the ongoing DHS funding gap has continued to disrupt normal operations while negotiations remain stalled.
For federal employees and service members who rely on DHS services—or who work for DHS—the practical effects can include delayed administrative functions, reduced public-facing services, and uncertainty about pay timing until Congress passes a funding measure and it is signed into law. Employees should follow their component’s guidance on duty status, timekeeping, and reporting requirements during the lapse. For general background on shutdown rules and common misconceptions, see FedBrief’s shutdown explainer: https://fedbrief.org/ (search “shutdown”).
Source: NARFE News, “Homeland Security shutdown enters fourth week,” published March 10, 2026. https://www.narfe.org/blog/2026/03/10/homeland-security-shutdown-enters-fourth-week/