Over 100,000 DHS Workers Miss Pay as Shutdown Extends Into Second Month

Agency officials report widespread unpaid labor and furloughs as the funding lapse continues to impact a large share of the workforce.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

More than 100,000 employees within the Department of Homeland Security have not received full compensation for work performed during the ongoing partial government shutdown, according to agency data cited in a report by the Washington Examiner.

The funding lapse, now stretching to 39 days, has affected a significant portion of the department’s workforce. DHS officials said approximately 38% of its roughly 260,000 employees have missed a full paycheck since the shutdown began in February.

Additional reporting from El Pais indicates that more than half of DHS personnel have been classified as nonessential and placed on unpaid leave until lawmakers reach a budget agreement.

Despite the furloughs, many DHS operations continue. The department oversees nearly two dozen agencies and offices, most of which are designated as essential, requiring employees to remain on duty even as pay is withheld during the funding gap.

Acting DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis described the financial impact on employees and attributed the situation to the ongoing political dispute over funding.

“Democrats are shamelessly playing politics with national security and putting a financial strain on DHS workers and their families,” Bis said. “100,000 DHS employees have missed their first full paycheck.”

Bis said the shutdown has resulted in an estimated $1 billion in unpaid wages each month, adding that the lack of income is affecting workers’ ability to meet basic needs.

“Thanks to the Democrats’ DHS shutdown, these men and women are being forced to work without pay, and many cannot pay their rent, [or] buy food or gas or other essentials,” she said. “The DHS shutdown must end now.”

The situation reflects the broader impact of the partial shutdown, with both furloughed employees and those continuing to work without pay awaiting congressional action to restore funding and resume normal payroll operations.