No clear path to ending the partial government shutdown as lawmakers dig in over DHS oversight
By Aamer Madhani
Published on March 16, 2026.
The partial government shutdown began Saturday after Congress failed to reach a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through September. Democrats are demanding changes to immigration operations after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officers in Minneapolis last month. They also want to require immigration agents to wear body cameras and enforce judicial warrants for arrests on private property. The work at ICE and CBP continues as Trump's tax and spending cut law from 2025 provides billions more for those agencies that can be used for deportation operations. About 90% of DHS employees were to continue working during the shutdown without pay, which could result in financial hardships for them. The administration has refused to agree to Democrats' demands that federal officers clearly identify themselves, remove masks during operations and display unique ID numbers.
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