A presidential memorandum directs full compensation for unpaid homeland security personnel as negotiations over immigration funding remain unresolved.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum directing that all Department of Homeland Security employees receive full backpay and benefits accrued during the ongoing government shutdown, according to reporting on the action.
The shutdown, now entering its seventh week, is described as the longest in U.S. history and has left multiple DHS components operating without pay. Agencies affected include Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The administration attributes the impasse to a lack of agreement in Congress over immigration enforcement funding. In the signed directive, Trump criticized the situation facing DHS personnel, writing, “This callous treatment of DHS employees must end in order to ensure that America is not susceptible to security threats and maintains readiness to respond to emergencies.”
The memorandum instructs newly appointed DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to identify and deploy available funds with a “reasonable and logical nexus” to homeland security operations. The directive states that these funds are to be used to ensure “each and every employee” receives the compensation owed for the duration of the shutdown.
Trump indicated that the lapse in pay could affect national security operations, stating that the ongoing funding gap has placed readiness at risk. The order also notes that once appropriations are restored, the department will resume normal operations consistent with pre-shutdown conditions.
Ahead of the memorandum, Trump signaled potential executive action in a post on Truth Social, stating, “Republicans are UNIFIED, and moving forward on a plan that will reload funding for our FANTASTIC Border Patrol and Immigration Enforcement Officers.”
Republican lawmakers are pursuing a dual-track approach to resolve the funding dispute. According to a joint statement, efforts are underway to fully finance the Department of Homeland Security through both the standard appropriations process and the budget reconciliation process.
The administration has set a target timeline for resolution, with Trump stating that he expects a funding measure for DHS to reach his desk by June 1.