As of March 25, the partial government shutdown that began on Jan. 31 has entered its 39th day. As a result, federal funding has stalled for the Department of Homeland Security, leading to long lines at airports as TSA workers are not showing up to work as they have not been paid.
This leaves the distribution of services by the affected agencies and the people who rely on them in danger.
The shutdown was caused by a funding dispute in Congress over immigration enforcement policies concerning the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good by federal agents in Minneapolis.
In response to this incident, Democrats have suggested banning the use of masks for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and requiring they wear identifying information on their uniforms.
On March 20, White House Border Czar Tom Homan met with bipartisan group of senators for the second time. He offered little input and said, “We need to get the government back open. It was a good discussion.”
This shutdown is part of a series of recent shutdowns. In late 2025, a 43-day shutdown caused widespread flight disruptions, leading to a Federal Aviation Administration order for a 10% flight cut at major airports.
The agencies affected by the shutdown include the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Secret Service, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and ICE.
At airports around the country, TSA workers have been calling out of work because they are not being paid.
According to Reuters, absences reached 29% at New York’s JFK, 27% at New Orleans, 23% at Baltimore-Washington and more than 30% at airports in Houston and Atlanta. Nationally, absentee rates rose to 10% compared to the 6% average.
Staffing shortages mean that there are longer lines at the airport. Around 171 million passengers are expected this spring, a 4% increase from the previous year. This could result in even longer lines at airports if the shutdown continues.
On March 23, the Trump administration deployed ICE agents to assist at airports.
According to Reuters, officials said that this is being done to manage the long lines and to support security operations.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said ICE operations are “not intended to conduct immigration enforcement activities.” However, on March 21, President Donald Trump posted that ICE agents would engage in “the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country.”
Lawmakers remain divided on how to resolve the shutdown.
Senate majority leader John Thune believes there is a potential for negotiations but criticized funding Democratic funding efforts for ICE.
Despite the stalemate, some essential services have continued such as Social Security and Medicare payments. Air traffic control operations remain active, even as airports face strain.
The current shutdown is an example of the broader impact funding disputes can have on public services.
As negotiations continue, federal workers and travelers face uncertainty over how long this disruption will persist.
