TSA lines stretch for hours as Department of Homeland Security shuts down
The Department of Homeland Security shutdown has caused chaos, with TSA lines stretching for hours.
The American people are the targets of political battles.
The Department of Homeland Security shutdown was extended to its 26th day on Wednesday, March 11, as travelers face long lines and missed flights at airports across the country. The closure stems from concerns about the National Security Agency’s annual budget. Democrats and Republicans will need to reach a spending deal to resolve the funding crisis and pay all DHS employees at full pay.
Here’s why the U.S. is in a DHS shutdown and what a partial shutdown means for Americans.
How we got here
DHS funding lapses began Feb. 13 after Congress failed to pass an annual budget for the 9/11-era Cabinet agency. Lawmakers could not agree on how to allocate spending for airport security, disaster relief, coastline security and other national security measures. The biggest hurdle was a push by Democrats to reform Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the wake of the killings of two Americans by federal agents earlier this year.
The first few weeks of the shutdown had little impact on Americans’ daily lives. But gradually, the pressure to find a solution increased. Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was ousted by President Donald Trump, drawing even more attention to calls for reform at the department. A White House spokesperson said Trump does not intend to sign any new legislation until the government shutdown ends, with the exception of the SAVE America Act. (However, the bill may become law unless President Trump vetoes it.)
On March 9, the White House blamed Democrats for the prolonged shutdown as Republican lawmakers painted the opposition as unwilling to negotiate. Meanwhile, Democrats last week accused Republicans of blocking a bill to pay TSA workers.
delay at the airport
The longer the shutdown lasts, the more U.S. travelers will be affected. Just as the spring break season heats up, major U.S. airports are facing hours-long security lines due to staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). While Americans scramble to board planes on time, some 50,000 airport security screeners are working without pay. The longer the impasse continues, the greater the risk that more police officers will re-enter the workforce or quit due to ill health.
Global Entry reopened on Wednesday, March 11, but this measure is unlikely to have an impact on crowding at TSA checkpoints.
What this means for you: Check the airport website for wait times and place a large cushion between the time you lock your front door and take off.
Relief funds are insufficient
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is responsible for responding to national disasters, is limited to “lifesaving operations only,” according to a Feb. 22 statement from DHS. Although the employees are working without pay, FEMA works to assist in “new or recent disasters that require immediate emergency action to save lives and prevent catastrophic damage,” the statement said.
The Senate Appropriations Committee 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, are being taken offline due to employee furloughs.
What this means for you: There will be no new appropriations to the Disaster Relief Fund, which the U.S. government uses to respond to disasters.
national security concerns
The DHS closure comes amid increased military activity in the Middle East, with some agencies continuing to operate without full funding.
The U.S. Coast Guard, responsible for maritime security and law enforcement, is operating with limited resources.
“The men and women of the Coast Guard, including those at risk in Bahrain, are performing their mission without adequate resources,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said on the March 5th X Show. The Coast Guard operates in Bahrain, the site of recent military attacks in the war with Iran.
Another DHS agency affected is the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which is responsible for sharing information and responding to cybersecurity threats to key infrastructure. A statement from the House Appropriations Committee on March 4 expressed concern about CISA’s ability to respond to the “increasing risk” of cyberattacks by Iran. The statement also noted that the shutdown will also limit U.S. secret intelligence services at a time when the U.S. expects a counterattack from Iran.
What this means for you: Employees of some security services may not be paid and may work with reduced resources.
Immigration management functions
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection officials have continued to work during the DHS shutdown because their funding was previously approved in separate legislation. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), part of DHS, continues to operate and provides support for legal immigrants, including visa processing and citizenship applications.
What this means for you: Check the USCIS website for the latest information on office closures and what to do if you need to reschedule your appointment.
Contributors: Zach Wichter, Zachary Schermele With USA TODAY staff
