February 14, 2026 — SUNTV Global Channel Reporting
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is heading into a partial shutdown that could last at least 10 days after U.S. lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on fresh funding before the deadline expired early Saturday.
Funding for the department officially lapsed at 12:01 a.m., following weeks of tense negotiations between the White House and Democratic leaders over proposed immigration enforcement reforms. With both the House and Senate currently on recess until February 23, the standoff may leave several DHS operations facing uncertainty unless Congress reconvenes sooner to strike a deal.
According to reports, the dispute intensified after a controversial incident last month in Minnesota in which federal agents fatally shot two American citizens, prompting renewed calls from Democrats for stricter oversight of immigration enforcement agencies.
Essential Services Continue Despite Pay Freeze
The shutdown means thousands of federal employees under DHS agencies — including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the United States Coast Guard — will temporarily go unpaid. However, most workers are expected to remain on duty because their roles are classified as essential.
In contrast, key immigration enforcement bodies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are likely to remain largely unaffected. Both agencies still have access to roughly $75 billion previously approved under former President Donald Trump’s earlier spending package.
Political Blame Game Intensifies
Before leaving Washington, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said lawmakers were prepared to return quickly if negotiations produce a breakthrough.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer insisted Democrats would not support another temporary funding extension without significant reforms, particularly regarding ICE operations and arrest procedures.
On Thursday, Senate Republicans failed to push through a funding bill after falling short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. The measure ended in a 52–47 vote, with only Senator John Fetterman crossing party lines to support it.
Negotiations Still Stalled
A senior White House official confirmed that Democrats had rejected the administration’s latest counterproposal, describing negotiations as difficult — especially over demands to restrict certain immigration arrests without judicial warrants.
Republicans have largely blamed Democrats for the impasse, while Democrats argue the administration must accept stronger safeguards before funding can resume.
For now, the shutdown underscores deep divisions in Washington over immigration policy — a debate that continues to shape both national security operations and federal spending priorities.
