The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown entered its sixth week after Congress and the President did not extend DHS funding by the Feb. 13 deadline, leaving many operations running under shutdown rules as lawmakers remain at an impasse, according to NARFE.
- Agency affected: Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Trigger date: DHS funding lapsed after Feb. 13 when no extension was enacted, per NARFE
- Duration: The lapse has continued into a sixth week, per NARFE
- Workforce impact: DHS employees are affected as the shutdown continues, per NARFE
- Status on Capitol Hill: Congress and the President have not reached an agreement to restore DHS funding, per NARFE
- Operational impact: DHS operations are disrupted/limited under shutdown conditions as the lapse persists, per NARFE
The DHS funding lapse is part of the broader annual appropriations process, where agencies require enacted appropriations or a continuing resolution to keep normal operations running. When funding is not in place, agencies generally implement contingency plans that determine which functions continue and which pause, and whether employees are required to work without immediate pay (with back pay dependent on subsequent legislation). NARFE reported that the ongoing lapse is affecting DHS operations and employees while negotiations remain stalled.
For federal employees and service members who interact with DHS components—such as TSA screening, immigration services, cybersecurity coordination, disaster response support, and other homeland security missions—the practical effects depend on which activities are deemed essential and how each component’s shutdown plan is structured. NARFE’s report did not provide component-by-component staffing levels or specific counts of affected employees, but emphasized that the lapse is continuing and that workers are being impacted as the stalemate continues.
Employees should monitor official DHS component guidance and agency communications for instructions on duty status, time and attendance, and pay procedures during the lapse. For general shutdown policy background and common misconceptions about pay and leave during funding gaps, see FedBrief’s shutdown explainer: https://fedbrief.org/ (search “shutdown”).
Source: NARFE News (March 24, 2026), “Homeland Security shutdown enters sixth week” — https://www.narfe.org/blog/2026/03/24/homeland-security-shutdown-enters-sixth-week/