To follow up on last week’s news of Congress passing a spending bill that puts the Department of Homeland Security on probation, funding for DHS lapsed on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Democrats in the Senate have demanded reforms to immigration enforcement tactics, such as banning agents from conducting raids in criminal-style ski masks and properly identifying themselves, among other common-sense requirements. Stalls in negotiations between Senate Democrats and the White House keep funding for DHS on hold while Congress takes a ten-day recess.
Ironically, the shutdown of DHS halts no funding for ICE for the time being, as last year’s “Big Beautiful Bill” funded U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the tune of some $75 billion. Many other agencies within DHS, such as FEMA and TSA, will be impacted as necessary workers go without pay and cutbacks may be implemented.
Editor’s note: You won’t find better (or more entertaining) coverage of the history of DHS and its current problems than the video seen above, posted by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on Feb. 15, 2026.
The above summarizes “What to Know About the DHS Shutdown” by Meg Kinnard, AP News, Feb. 14, 2026.