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The United States entered a partial federal government shutdown this weekend, a situation that, although less extensive than the historic government shutdown last fall, is again creating uncertainty among millions of people both within and outside the country, including migrants and families who rely on key state services.
Unlike previous shutdowns, this halt does not impact the entire federal apparatus. Congress had already approved half of the funding bills for the fiscal year, ensuring that essential programs continue to operate until the end of September, as explained by the AP agency.
However, the lack of a political agreement left several sensitive agencies without temporary funding, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Pentagon, and the Department of Transportation.
The origin of the closure is directly linked to the immigration debate. Following the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens during federal operations in Minneapolis, Democrats demanded the removal of DHS funding from the budget package to force changes in the practices of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including mandatory use of body cameras and visible identification for agents.
To avoid a total shutdown, President Donald Trump reached an agreement with Senate Democrats to temporarily fund the DHS for two weeks while negotiations continue. Nonetheless, the House of Representatives will not vote on the full package until at least Tuesday, prolonging the partial shutdown for several days, as confirmed by House Speaker Mike Johnson in statements reported by AP.
Who does the closure affect?
Among the most affected agencies are Defense, National Security, and Transportation. Although essential functions continue, many federal employees could be forced to work without pay if the impasse extends, and others may be placed on temporary unpaid leave, reported AP.
In the case of air transportation, controllers will remain in their positions, but will not receive a salary until funding is approved. This increases the risk of delays and cancellations, a genuine concern for those traveling in and out of the country.
The DHS includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Experts cited by AP state that the agency has between 7 and 8 billion dollars available to respond to current disasters, such as the severe winter storm affecting several regions. However, a prolonged shutdown could pressure that fund and limit other operations, such as the issuance or renewal of flood insurance.
Good news for passports, visas, and food assistance
For those fearing a direct impact on immigration processes, the Department of State reported that the processing of passports and visas will continue as usual and that embassies and consulates will remain open, although some non-urgent functions may experience delays, according to internal documents cited by AP.
Food assistance programs will also remain unaffected. Benefits such as SNAP and WIC will continue to be distributed normally, as the Department of Agriculture has been fully funded through the end of the fiscal year, providing relief for millions of low-income families.
A conclusion with a political background
As Republicans and Democrats accuse each other, the debate revolves around how far immigration operation reforms should go.
The Democratic leader of the House, Hakeem Jeffries, stated in that the DHS needs a "drastic reform" and that short-term promises are not enough. On the other side, Mike Johnson has argued that certain demands could jeopardize federal agents.
For now, the partial shutdown continues, and its duration will depend on whether Congress can reach a political agreement in the coming days. Although many services are still operational, uncertainty has once again taken hold in a country where each government shutdown ultimately has a human face: workers without pay, affected travelers, and families waiting on decisions made behind closed doors in Washington.
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