DHS Shutdown Continues Following Noem’s Ouster

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The ongoing DHS funding lapse affects immigration-related operations that impact a sizeable portion of the aging services workforce.

Nearly three weeks in, the partial government shutdown tied to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding continues. The House of Representatives on March 5, 2026, the passed a bill to fund DHS through the end of the fiscal year, but Senate Democrats again blocked the measure, leaving the department unfunded for now.

The standoff centers on Democrats' demands for changes to immigration enforcement practices following fatal incidents involving federal agents earlier this year.

Potentially complicating the debate, just ahead of the March 5 House vote, President Trump fired DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to replace her. While some Democrats had previously suggested Noem's removal could ease negotiations, party leaders have since made clear that the leadership change alone does not resolve their concerns, and they continue to block DHS funding absent policy commitments. As a result, core DHS functions continue to operate under shutdown conditions, with many employees working without pay.

The ongoing DHS funding lapse has some relevance for LeadingAge members because it affects immigration-related operations that impact a sizeable portion of the aging services workforce. DHS oversees key components of the employment-based immigration system, including work authorization processing-which even without a shutdown already labors under significant delays-and related compliance functions.

LeadingAge will continue to monitor developments closely.