January 30, 2026
ICE operations continue during partial shutdown; most federal workers furloughed
Congress fails to fund six agencies; ICE operates with $75 billion reserve
🏢Legislative Process🏛️Government🛂Immigration
The partial government shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 31, 2026, affecting six of 12 appropriations bills and approximately $1.2 trillion in discretionary spending.
ICE received $75 billion in mandatory funding through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed on Jul. 4, 2025, allowing the agency to operate for multiple years without annual appropriations.
ICE's budget for fiscal year 2025 is $28.7 billion—nearly triple its FY2024 budget—making it the single most funded federal law enforcement agency.
The Oct.-Nov. 2025 shutdown lasted 43 days, from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, 2025, making it the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Democrats won't advance appropriations bills including DHS funding without reforms after federal agents killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Customs and Border Protection received $65 billion through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with $47 billion earmarked for continued border wall construction.
During the 2025 shutdown, 42 million Americans lost SNAP benefits in Nov., and the FAA ordered airlines to cut 10% of flights by Nov. 14 due to air traffic controller staffing shortages.
Essential federal employees must work without pay during shutdowns but receive backpay under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019.
🏢Legislative Process🏛️Government🛂Immigration
People, bills, and sources
Chuck Schumer
Senate Minority Leader (D-NY)
Kristi Noem
Secretary of Homeland Security
Tom Homan
Border Czar
Mike Johnson
Speaker of the House (R-LA)
Donald Trump
President of the United States
Renee Good
Minneapolis mother of three
Alex Pretti
ICU nurse
What you can do
1
civic action
Apply for unemployment benefits during extended shutdowns
Federal workers can apply for unemployment benefits in most states during extended shutdowns, though they must repay benefits after receiving backpay. State unemployment offices process claims; the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act guarantees eventual backpay but doesn't prevent immediate financial hardship.
2
civic action
Contact your senators about immigration enforcement oversight reforms
Schumer's three demands—warrant requirements, independent investigations, and body cameras—could become law if enough Republicans support them. Eight Republicans joined Democrats to block the DHS-inclusive funding package, suggesting bipartisan support for reforms exists.
3
learning more
Track appropriations bills at Congress.gov
Six bills passed (Justice, Commerce, Agriculture, Interior, Veterans Affairs, Legislative Branch); six remain unfunded (Defense, HHS, DHS, Labor, Transportation, HUD, Treasury, State, Education). The Congressional Record shows every vote.