Senate Votes to Fund DHS, Excluding Immigration Enforcement

Senate Votes to Fund DHS, Excluding Immigration Enforcement

March 27, 2026 3:19 AM ET
By Sam Gringlas

In a decisive overnight vote, the Senate passed a funding bill that allocates resources to substantial portions of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after enduring a 42-day impasse regarding immigration enforcement practices. Notably, the legislation does not provide funding for the agency's primary immigration enforcement activities.

The bill now progresses to the House for consideration. The previous lapse in DHS funding compelled tens of thousands of employees to either work without compensation or leave their positions, resulting in extended delays at airports during the busy spring break travel season.

Democrats have consistently opposed funding for DHS due to concerns over immigration enforcement methods utilized by agency personnel, particularly in response to incidents where federal officers fatally shot two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. The recent funding package enabled Democrats to secure financial support for essential operations, such as those conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and emergency response units, while maintaining their stance on immigration enforcement concerns.

Despite this breakthrough, some Democrats caution that this compromise might weaken their negotiating power. The DHS has been functioning without regular appropriations for over a month, with certain divisions, like Immigration and Customs Enforcement, continuing their operations thanks to approximately $75 billion allocated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In contrast, agencies such as TSA have been dependent on personnel who are working without pay.

Ha Nguyen McNeil, the acting administrator of TSA, informed lawmakers during a hearing on Wednesday that staff absences have surged to 40 percent at some airports, and over 480 TSA officers have resigned during the funding freeze.

"We are genuinely concerned about our security posture and the long-term implications this shutdown may have on our workforce and our ability to fulfill our mission," McNeil stated.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed to reporters that House Republicans have generally opposed disaggregating the funding, labeling it "shameful" to neglect the agency's financial support. The House's response to the Senate agreement remains uncertain at this time.