WASHINGTON — As the federal government entered a shutdown, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a firm statement confirming that border enforcement and immigration laws remain fully in effect, Newsweek reported.
In a post on X, ICE sought to debunk rumors circulating online that the government shutdown would result in relaxed border security or allow unauthorized entry into the United States.
“There is NO CHANGE to U.S. immigration laws or border enforcement,” ICE stated. “Rumors that a U.S. government shutdown will allow illegal immigrants to enter the United States are FALSE. Border security and enforcement efforts remain strict, and crossing the border without authorization remains a crime.”
According to a contingency plan released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under which ICE operates, more than 93% of ICE’s workforce, 19,626 out of 21,028 employees, are exempt from furloughs. These employees will continue to work without pay to maintain operations, including immigration enforcement, detention and removal, according to the report.
While ICE and border enforcement efforts remain unaffected, the government shutdown, triggered by a congressional funding impasse, has forced thousands of non-essential federal workers across other agencies into unpaid furloughs.
Critical services such as national security, law enforcement and air traffic control continue.
The standoff in Congress centers around a short-term stopgap funding bill, which Republicans have proposed to extend government funding for seven weeks, according to the report. However, Democratic leaders are demanding an immediate extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, arguing that failing to act will raise healthcare costs for millions of Americans.
Republicans, led by President Donald Trump, have refused to negotiate until the government reopens. Democrats, in turn, say they won’t agree to reopen the government without entering negotiations.
