By Vinod Ram 
With February 13, 2026, fast approaching, many Americans are asking: Is a DHS shutdown happening this Friday? The short answer is: not yet — but tension remains high as lawmakers from both parties try to bridge deep policy divides before the current short-term funding patch expires.
Here’s everything you need to know about the current 10-day funding extension, negotiations between President Donald Trump and Congressional Democrats, and the likelihood that DHS faces another lapse in funding.
Why DHS Funding Is on a Tight Deadline
Earlier in February, Congress narrowly passed a $1.2 trillion funding package that reopened most of the federal government, ending a brief partial shutdown. However, that bill only funds the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through Feb. 13 while lawmakers negotiate longer-term provisions.
This short “continuing resolution” gives legislatures roughly 10 days to agree on specific reforms — particularly around immigration enforcement — or risk a funding lapse that would effectively shutter key components of DHS.
What President Trump and Democrats Are Negotiating
Republicans and President Trump want to pass a full funding bill that maintains current DHS operations without major policy changes. Democrats, however, are using the short funding window as leverage to demand significant reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and related agencies.
Democratic demands — rooted in controversy over recent federal agent shootings — include:
- Mandatory body cameras for agents
- Restrictions on mask use by federal officers
- Judicial warrant requirements for certain enforcement actions
- Stronger accountability and oversight measures
Republicans have largely rejected many of these proposals as unrealistic or harmful to operational effectiveness.
What a DHS Shutdown Would Look Like
If Congress fails to reach an agreement before the midnight Feb. 13 deadline, DHS funding will lapse — even while most of the federal government remains funded through September as a result of the broader spending package.
That would mean a **department-specific shutdown** affecting agencies under the DHS umbrella, including the:
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- U.S. Coast Guard
Some agencies may continue essential operations, but others — especially those funded directly via DHS appropriations — could furlough non-essential personnel and disrupt services.
Likelihood of a Shutdown
Negotiations are ongoing, but many analysts believe that reaching a comprehensive deal by the Feb. 13 deadline will be extremely challenging. Both parties have dug into their positions, and with strong Democratic resistance to minimalist stopgaps and Republican reluctance to accept major policy changes, the risk of a lapse remains high. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Lawmakers could attempt to pass another short stopgap or split the DHS bill further, but time is short and the window narrows quickly.
What You Can Expect Next
Watch for late-breaking moves in both chambers of Congress, especially committee sessions on immigration and homeland security funding. Public pressure and high-profile events could also shift the political calculus. Should negotiations collapse, a DHS shutdown could begin immediately after the current patch expires late Friday night.
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