As the U.S. federal government remains shut down for 35 days, funding for many agencies remains stalled, yet enforcement operations by ICE are reportedly pressing forward. According to a DHS news release, ICE is actively making arrests of illegal aliens with serious criminal histories, described as the “worst of the worst,” despite the shutdown blamed by officials on Democratic lawmakers.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of DHS emphasized that “ICE agents continue to arrest the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from across the country.”
Enforcement Continues Amid Shutdown
While many federal employees are furloughed and certain oversight functions are curtailed, DHS says ICE operations remain a priority. Past statements from the department during earlier phases of the shutdown have affirmed that enforcement of criminal-alien removals remains “essential,” even when non-essential staff are not working.
This enforcement push comes as data show that states such as Texas are shouldering a large portion of ICE arrests: one analysis found 1 in 4 ICE arrests happened in Texas.
Political Implications and Criticism
The framing of the arrests as taking place “despite Democrats’ government shutdown” suggests a political messaging dimension: DHS is explicitly linking the funding impasse to Democrats while highlighting enforcement activity as undeterred.
However, critics argue that while ICE may continue operations, oversight and accountability functions are severely diminished during the shutdown. For instance, DHS’s Office of Detention Oversight was reported to have been furloughed, leaving some detention-centres without regular federal inspections.
Looking Ahead
- If the shutdown persists, questions will grow about the long-term sustainability of enforcement operations without full budgets and oversight support.
- Legal and civil-rights groups may increase scrutiny of ICE arrests made during this period, especially if detainees’ access to legal protections or visits is limited.
- The political narrative will likely intensify: the administration pointing to enforcement successes, while Democrats may counter that the shutdown undermines accountability and due process.
