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Immigration and Customs Enforcement will continue its deportation operations even as the federal government shut down on Thursday, with the majority of its workforce designated as essential, according to a contingency plan released by the Department of Homeland Security.
The plan shows more than 19,000 of ICE’s roughly 21,000 employees will remain on the job during a lapse in funding, tasked with carrying out arrests, deportations and other law enforcement duties.
“It’s business as usual,” one ICE official said, according to The Daily Wire, noting that agents are required to report for work regardless of the budget standoff.
Customs and Border Protection, which plays a central role in border enforcement and supports ICE operations, will also maintain most of its staff during the shutdown. Both agencies will continue their work without pay until Congress approves new funding, with employees receiving back pay.
The potential shutdown comes as the Trump administration has expanded ICE sweeps across major cities and bolstered security around federal facilities. Over the weekend, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of troops to Portland to counter repeated attacks on ICE offices by Antifa and other groups.
The administration’s focus on immigration enforcement is unfolding alongside tense budget negotiations. Trump and Vice President JD Vance met Monday with congressional leaders in an unsuccessful effort to reach a short-term deal to avert a shutdown before Oct. 1.
After the meeting, Vance told reporters a closure appeared imminent. “I think we’re heading to a shutdown, because the Democrats won’t do the right thing,” he said. “I hope they change their mind, but we’re going to see.”
The House approved a seven-week extension of funding on Sept. 19 that would have lasted until Nov. 21, but the measure failed in the Senate, where it fell short of the 60 votes required to advance.
The Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on legislation to end the federal government shutdown, Sen. John Thune said, expressing confidence that more Democratic support could help push the measure through.
“We picked up three tonight when we voted on this,” Thune, R-S.D., said in a television interview Tuesday. “Eventually, we’ll get enough to pass this thing in the Senate and keep the government open.”