ICE Deportations Continue Amid Federal Government Shutdown

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and related agencies such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will continue their enforcement activities, including arrests and deportations, during the 2025 federal government shutdown, as most of their operations are deemed essential. The Trump administration has prioritized immigration enforcement, ensuring that about 19,000 of ICE's 21,000 employees remain active despite the funding lapse, with agents required to work without pay until Congress restores funding. DHS officials emphasized that border security and deportation efforts remain strict, and frontline employees will continue to operate, although many will work without immediate compensation, raising concerns about the financial strain on their families. While legal immigration services like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are expected to remain open, some functions may slow due to dependencies on other departments affected by the shutdown. The political impasse centers on disputes over funding extensions, with Democrats pushing for continuation of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies and Republicans opposing, leading to the shutdown and the continuation of enforcement operations despite the broader government closure. The administration's firm stance on immigration enforcement persists amid growing tension and criticism from political opponents who have labeled ICE agents harshly, but the agencies maintain that their critical public safety mission will proceed uninterrupted.