The US Department of Homeland Security's record-long 76-day shutdown ended on 30/4 after President Donald Trump signed a funding bill. The legislation, passed by Congress, did not include specific funds for federal immigration law enforcement. This resolution brought an end to months of political deadlock for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a situation that originated from an immigration crackdown launched by President Trump. The crackdown led to fatalities in Minneapolis, igniting a significant confrontation on Capitol Hill regarding the allocation of funds for the President's policy agenda.

The badge of the US Department of Homeland Security at the National Response Coordination Center of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Washington in January. Photo: Reuters

The shutdown, which left the Department of Homeland Security operating with a continuous budget deficit since 14/2, was the longest in the agency's history. Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin acknowledged the dedication of employees on X, stating, "After 76 days, the longest government shutdown in history has ended. To the amazing patriotic employees who continued to protect our nation every day without guaranteed pay, thank you." During this period, vital agencies like the Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) struggled to maintain operations as funding dwindled.

The US House of Representatives' approval of the DHS funding bill came amidst urgent warnings from White House officials. They cautioned that depleted funds could lead to chaos at airports and create potential national security vulnerabilities. These concerns resonated deeply in Washington, especially with increasing reports of airport disruptions. Over 1,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees reportedly resigned since the government shutdown in February, and airline executives warned that staff shortages could severely impact travel if Congress did not intervene.

The House vote followed days of intense pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson, who had struggled to resolve the legislative deadlock. While the Senate had unanimously approved the budget package weeks earlier, the bill faced delays in the House. This was due to conservative Republican lawmakers insisting that any budget agreement must include a long-term plan to fund the White House's immigration crackdown.

The stalemate was resolved on 30/4 when House Republicans advanced a separate budget resolution. This resolution allocated 70 billion USD for immigration enforcement, passed without Democratic support by a vote of 215-211. This strategic move effectively unblocked the main budget package for the Department of Homeland Security. Republican Representative Jodey Arrington, Chairman of the House Budget Committee, praised his party for "ending this reckless government shutdown and restoring essential operations for the Department of Homeland Security, while also using the budget reconciliation process to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the next three years."

Source: Guardian, AFP, Reuters