PresidentDonald Trumphas signed a memorandum ordering that all U.S. Department of Homeland Security employees receive pay and benefits during apartial government shutdownnearing the end of its seventh week.
More than 35,000 employeeshave gone paylessduring that time, according to Trump. In addition to Transportation Security Administration workers whose absences have disrupted airport operations around the country, the list has also included cybersecurity agency professionals and employees of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"As President of the United States, I have determined that these circumstances constitute an emergency situation compromising the Nation's security," Trump wrote.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents patrol at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, March 23, 2026. Hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were ordered to deploy to airports to help fill TSA staffing gaps across the country." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
ICE agents appear at airports as TSA delays snarl check-in
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents patrol at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, March 23, 2026. Hundreds ofImmigration and Customs Enforcement agents were ordered to deploy to airportsto help fill TSA staffing gaps across the country.
Inthe order, titled "Liberating the Department of Homeland Security From the Democrat-Caused Shutdown," Trump directed Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to work with Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought to use funds with "a reasonable and logical nexus to the functions of DHS to provide each and every employee of DHS with the compensation and benefits that would have accrued to them if not for the Democrat-led DHS shutdown."
Once regular DHS funding has been restored, the president said "every effort should be made" to adjust applicable funding accounts within DHS to continue agency operations and activities consistent with planned funding before the lapse.
Advertisement
"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," Trump said in the memo.
The shutdown is the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history.
On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, and House SpeakerMike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said they'd hammered out a deal toend the shutdown, saying House and Senate Republicans agreed to pass the previously approved bipartisan Senate bill to fund DHS — minus ICE and Border Patrol, both already funded by Trump'sOne Big Beautiful Bill.
The House's change of heart opens the door for a two-track plan to fund DHS through a spending bill and a budget reconciliation package later this year. But the addition of Republican-pushed measures, like Trump's SAVE America Act, could hamper progress.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump orders pay and benefits for DHS workers during shutdown
