Are we still in a shutdown? Here's how DHS disruptions impact Americans

Americans are in the crosshairs of a political fight.

The Department of Homeland Security shutdown stretched into its 26th day on Wednesday, March 11, as travelers face long lines and missed flights at airports around the country. The shutdown stems from concerns over the national security agency's annual budget: Democrats and Republicans need to reach an agreement on a spending package in order to end the funding impasse and fully pay all DHS workers.

Here's why the U.S. is in a DHS shutdown and what the partial closure means for Americans.

How we got here

The DHS funding lapse began on Feb. 13 after Congress failed to pass an annual budget for the 9/11-era Cabinet agency. Lawmakers weren't able to agree on how to allocate spending for airport security, disaster relief, coastline safety and more national security measures. The biggest hurdle was Democrats' demands for reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the killings of two U.S. citizens earlier this year by federal agents.

The initial weeks of the shutdown showed little impact to Americans' everyday lives. But gradually, pressure has mounted to find a solution. Former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was ousted by President Donald Trump, further putting a spotlight on calls to reform the agency. A White House spokesperson said Trump would not sign any new laws until the shutdown ends, barring the SAVE America Act. (Bills can still become law, though, as long as Trump doesn't veto them.)

On March 9, the White House blamed Democrats for the prolonged shutdown as GOP members of Congress painted their opponents as unwilling to negotiate. Meanwhile, Democrats last week blamed Republicans for blocking a bill that would have paid TSA workers.

Delays at the airport

The longer the shutdown lasts, the more U.S. travelers will feel the impacts. Just as spring break season heats up, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortages are causing facing multi-hour security lines at major U.S. airports. While Americans scramble to make flights on time, roughly 50,000 airport security screeners are working without pay. The longer the impasse lasts, the greater the risk more officers will call in sick to take second jobs, or even quit.

Global Entry reopened on Wednesday, March 11, but the move is unlikely to have an effect on crowding at TSA checkpoints.

What this means for you: Look up wait times on your airport's website and give a big cushion between locking your front door and take-off.

Missing relief dollars

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which handles responses to national disasters, is limited to "life-saving operations only," according to a Feb. 22 DHS statement. While personnel work without pay, FEMA will operate to help with "new or recent disasters requiring immediate emergency action to protect lives or prevent catastrophic damage," the statement says.

States, local governments and others receiving funding from the FEMA Go grant system − a program that allows users to apply for, monitor, and manage disaster and non-disaster grants − is offline due to furloughed workers, according to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

What this means for you: No new appropriations for the disaster relief fund, which is used by the U.S. government to respond to disasters.

Concerns for national security

The DHS shutdown comes amid increased military activity in the Middle East, while some agencies continue to work without full funding.

The U.S. Coast Guard, which is charged with maritime security and law enforcement, is functioning with fewer resources.

“Coast Guard men and women − including those in harm’s way in Bahrain − are completing missions without full resources behind them,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, in a March 5 post on X. The Coast Guard operates in Bahrain, a site of recent military strikes in the war with Iran.

Another DHS agency impacted is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which handles information sharing and responses to cybersecurity threats to key infrastructure. A March 4 House Appropriations Committee statement called out concerns CISA capacity to respond to a "heightened risk" of cyber attacks by Iran. The statement also raised that U.S. Secret Service is also limited by the shutdown at a time when the U.S. anticipates counterstrikes by Iran.

What this means for you: Employees at some security agencies could miss pay and work with scaled-back resources.

Immigration operations function

Because their funding was previously approved in separate legislation, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection personnel have continued operations during the DHS shutdown. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), part of DHS, provides support for legal immigration, including visa processing and citizenship applications, and also remains operational.

What this means for you: Check the USCIS website for updates on office closures and what to do if you must reschedule your appointment.

Contributing: Zach Wichter, Zachary Schermele and staff, USA TODAY