ICE Agents Receive Pay Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown
Federal law enforcement agents, including those from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are set to receive a special payment during the ongoing government shutdown, which has left many federal employees without wages. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that these employees will receive what has been termed a “super check” by October 22, 2023.
According to a spokesperson for DHS, this payment will cover not only the current pay cycle but also the initial days of the shutdown that occurred at the end of the last pay period, along with any overtime worked. More than 70,000 law enforcement personnel, including border patrol agents and air marshals, are expected to benefit from this arrangement.
Kristi Noem, the DHS Secretary, expressed support for law enforcement during this challenging time, stating, “President Trump and I will always stand by law enforcement, and today we are keeping our promise to always support them by making sure they are paid during the Democrats’ shutdown.”
The funding for these payments is being drawn from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allocates significant financial resources to support DHS operations through 2029. This act is intended to bolster the efforts of the agency in safeguarding the borders of the United States.
While law enforcement personnel are receiving pay, the situation for other federal workers remains dire. Many employees at various agencies, including the Social Security Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, are either furloughed or working without pay. This includes staff involved in essential services such as food service and janitorial work.
Since the government ceased normal operations on October 1, 2023, the impact of the shutdown has been significant. Numerous federal workers have expressed anxiety over their financial security. A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employee, Johnny Jones, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Gas stations don’t take IOUs.” This sentiment reflects the reality for many who are struggling to make ends meet without regular paychecks.
Military personnel are also receiving compensation as part of measures taken to alleviate the financial burden of the shutdown. The Pentagon has started disbursing paychecks by utilizing funds from the current fiscal year, although the exact sources of these funds remain unclear.
The decision to prioritize payments to law enforcement and military personnel has stirred mixed reactions among lawmakers. In past shutdowns, legislation has typically been passed to ensure that military salaries are preserved. This time, however, the administration unilaterally opted to continue these payments, a move that has drawn criticism from some members of Congress.
As the stalemate in Congress persists, with no budget agreement in sight, the government shutdown continues to affect numerous sectors, leading to potential disruptions in services such as mail delivery, national parks, and airport operations. The longest government shutdown recorded lasted 35 days in 2018, raising concerns about the ongoing impact on federal employees and the services they provide.
The situation remains fluid, and federal workers are anxiously awaiting resolution as the shutdown drags on, with many hoping for a return to normalcy in the near future.
