Congress Ends Record 75-Day DHS Shutdown Without Reining In ICE or Border Patrol

Congress has finally put an end to the longest partial shutdown in federal history by approving a bill that funds most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies through September 30. The House passed the Senate-approved measure on Thursday by voice vote, sending it to President Trump’s desk for signature. The shutdown, which began on February 14, had left thousands of DHS workers unpaid and critical operations at risk.

But don’t mistake this victory for accountability or reform. The bill notably excludes any new restrictions or cuts to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the two most controversial and aggressive arms of the administration’s immigration crackdown. Both agencies continued to receive funding during the shutdown, and Republicans have now locked in a budget resolution that authorizes $70 billion over the next three years to keep them fully operational — no Democratic input necessary.

Democrats had forced the shutdown to demand reforms such as mandatory body cameras for immigration agents and limits on raids in sensitive places like schools and hospitals. Republicans, led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, dismissed these demands as a “joke” and a “political charade.” Johnson proudly declared that Democrats “got absolutely nothing” from the standoff.

This budget resolution uses the reconciliation process, allowing Republicans to push through funding for ICE and Border Patrol without any Democratic votes. That means the administration can continue to expand its harsh immigration enforcement policies unchecked, even as the shutdown’s fallout exposed the human cost of partisan gridlock.

Meanwhile, other DHS agencies like FEMA, the Coast Guard, TSA, and the Secret Service will finally receive funding again, ensuring no disruptions at airports or critical emergency services. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin had warned that without funding, thousands of workers would go unpaid and essential programs would grind to a halt.

The shutdown’s end also comes with an urgent national security caveat: Congress must still act to extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Section 702 spying program, which is set to expire imminently. Lawmakers from both parties warn that letting it lapse would be devastating for intelligence operations.

This episode lays bare the priorities of the current Congress: full funding for the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement machine, no reforms, and a willingness to let government shutdowns drag on for months — all while putting national security at risk. The only winners here are the agencies driving the administration’s authoritarian immigration agenda and the lawmakers who protect them.

We’ll be watching closely to see if Democrats can muster any leverage moving forward or if Republicans will continue to steamroll demands for transparency and accountability. The stakes for democracy and human rights could not be higher.