- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiated emergency measures on February 22, 2026, to conserve funds and personnel after a week-long shutdown by Congressional Democrats. This action was taken to mitigate national security and public safety damage, as reported by Homeland Security.
- Among the immediate impacts, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has halted all non-disaster-related response efforts to prioritize urgent disaster response. This was confirmed by CBS News, which noted FEMA entered emergency operating status.
- The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Entry service has been suspended, a move widely reported by outlets like The Washington Post and The Guardian. This suspension is expected to affect international travelers seeking expedited processing.
- While initial reports suggested TSA PreCheck would also be suspended, CBS News and The Washington Post later clarified that TSA PreCheck remains operational, though courtesy escorts for Members of Congress have been suspended. This reversal came after discussions with the White House.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, as reported by the Associated Press, that "shutdowns have serious real world consequences, not just for the men and women of DHS and their families who go without a paycheck, but it endangers our national security."
- The partial government shutdown, which began on February 14, 2026, stems from a failure by lawmakers to reach a deal on DHS funding, particularly concerning immigration enforcement reforms. This impasse has forced the department to make tough workforce and resource decisions.
DHS Emergency Measures Due to Shutdown
Facing a week-long government shutdown initiated by Congressional Democrats over funding, the Department of Homeland Security enacted emergency measures on February 22, 2026, to protect national security and conserve vital resources. These drastic steps immediately halted FEMA's non-disaster response and suspended CBP Global Entry, creating significant disruptions for both urgent disaster relief and international travelers.
Sources
10
Editorial Process: This article was drafted using AI-assisted research and thoroughly reviewed by human editors for accuracy, tone, and clarity. All content undergoes human editorial review to ensure accuracy and neutrality.
Reviewed by: Pat Chen
Report an issue with this article
Please sign in to report issues with this article.
Live discussion about this article
Comments
Comments are disabled for this article.
