DHS employees across CISA, FEMA and the Coast Guard — along with civilian staff supporting ICE and CBP — say they are still missing paychecks as the government shutdown drags on, fueling anger among workers who feel their roles are being treated as “overlooked,” according to Federal News Network.
- Who’s affected: Staff at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Coast Guard, plus civilian employees at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Federal News Network reported.
- What’s happening: Employees report they are not being paid during the shutdown, including personnel supporting frontline missions and back-office functions, according to Federal News Network.
- How workers describe it: The outlet reported growing frustration among DHS employees who say they feel “overlooked” despite performing work tied to public safety, disaster response, border operations and cybersecurity.
- Operational reality: Federal News Network’s reporting highlights the shutdown’s impact on both frontline and support staff — a mix that can include employees required to work and those placed on furlough, depending on mission and funding status.
- Pay timing: Federal News Network reported the central problem as missed pay during the shutdown; federal employees typically receive back pay after funding is restored, but the timing depends on enactment of appropriations and payroll processing. (Back pay rules are set in law, including the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act.)
- Where to check basics: Employees tracking potential pay impacts can reference general shutdown pay rules and FAQs at FedBrief (fedbrief.org).
Brief context: During a lapse in appropriations, agencies must follow shutdown plans that determine which employees are excepted (required to work) and which are furloughed. Federal News Network reported that DHS employees across multiple components say the shutdown is hitting paychecks and morale simultaneously — with workers describing financial strain and a sense that DHS support roles are receiving less attention than more visible functions. The report underscores that DHS’ operational footprint spans emergency management, maritime security, border enforcement and cybersecurity — missions that often continue in some form even when appropriations lapse.
Source: Federal News Network, “Overlooked’ DHS staff sound off on shutdown as CISA, FEMA, Coast Guard, ICE and CBP employees miss pay” (April 2026), https://federalnewsnetwork.com/government-shutdown/2026/04/overlooked-dhs-staff-sound-off-on-shutdown/