US Department of Homeland Security Shutdown Impacts Travel

The US federal government has partially shut down due to a lack of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), causing concerns among travel groups and airlines about potential disruptions to air travel. The shutdown began on Saturday after Congress failed to pass a bill to fund DHS operations, with Democrats demanding reforms to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in exchange for a funding deal. The shutdown is expected to affect several agencies under the DHS umbrella, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the US Coast Guard. While the Federal Aviation Administration has already been funded for the rest of the year, TSA agents may have to go without pay if the shutdown drags on, potentially leading to longer lines at airports.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has shut down due to a lack of funding, affecting over 260,000 employees. The shutdown is the third in recent months but is limited to DHS, unlike previous ones that impacted multiple federal agencies. Democrats are demanding reforms to the conduct of federal immigration officers, citing recent incidents where U.S. citizens were shot dead by immigration officers. The shutdown may impact immigration enforcement, air travel, and disaster response, although some agencies within DHS, like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, are less likely to be affected due to their funding structure. The duration of the shutdown is uncertain, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicating that lawmakers are not close to a deal.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has partially shut down due to a budget impasse between lawmakers, affecting thousands of government workers. The dispute centers on funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with Democrats demanding changes to ICE's operations, including curtailed patrols and judicial warrants for entering private property. The shutdown is the third during President Donald Trump's second term, following a record 43-day government closure in October and November 2025. While ICE will remain operational, other agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be impacted, potentially leading to longer wait times and cancelled flights.