White House Border Czar Tom Homan expressed strong criticism regarding the Senate funding bill aimed at reopening parts of the Department of Homeland Security. He stated that the legislation would leave essential support staff without paychecks for the foreseeable future.
You can tell he wasn’t happy, and by gosh, he has every right to be upset.
“We cannot do what we do very well if we don’t have those people doing what they do,” Homan said on Fox News’ Saturday in America. “They put gas in cars. They pay bills. They keep their lights on. They make sure we have the equipment to do this job. So, yes, we need everybody funded.”
? HOLY CRAP. Tom Homan just confirmed the Senate GOP DHS funding bill with Democrats would've left VITAL parts of ICE unpaid
"There's a certain classification of employees that's not deemed 'critical!' Those [unpaid] mission support people are the backbone of what we do!"
"We… pic.twitter.com/pFjQRJgqPf
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 28, 2026
Not a single thing Homan said is wrong, especially his criticism of Democrats.
Many Republicans in the House have criticized the Senate leadership for not taking action on the issue. Some of them have even suggested that they would attach popular provisions from the SAVE America Act as amendments to the funding bill to compel the Senate to vote on the matter.
We need a GROUNDSTOP of all Senators until we kick migrants off our voter rolls and fund Homeland Security.
Democrats are celebrating because there is NO courage in the other chamber.
— Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepOgles) March 27, 2026
The Senate bill is a non-starter. We’ll send something back to stand with @CBP & @ICEgov – perhaps other important provisions. But we’re not accepting the garbage from the Senate. pic.twitter.com/2upBegzJVy
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) March 27, 2026
In the dead of night, with only five senators present on the floor and no one there to object, the Senate rushed through a DHS funding bill that deliberately left ICE and CBP unfunded.
Now, they are leaving town.
No SAVE America Act. ICE and CBP unfunded.
Senate Republicans…
— Rep. Keith Self (@RepKeithSelf) March 27, 2026
Nothing is more important than mass deportations.
— Brandon Gill (@realBrandonGill) March 27, 2026
Currently, the administrative and civilian staff of both ICE and Border Patrol would have to continue working without pay. After enduring the longest shutdown in American history last fall (which was also the fault of Democrats but prolonged because of a stupid ancient filibuster rule that GOP leaders in the Senate cling to like a child), as well as another unusually lengthy partial shutdown this year, these essential employees have reportedly felt neglected.
Fox News’ Bill Melugin provided more on insights on this mess:
Some color on who is & isn’t being paid in ICE & CBP via the One Big Beautiful Bill.
Most of ICE & CBP are funded through 2029 via the OBBB and operations won’t be impacted if they aren’t funded through appropriations, for now.
All frontline law enforcement is being paid. The ICE, Border Patrol, and CBP agents we see in the field are all getting paid via OBBB.
HOWEVER… their professional and civilian support staff are NOT being paid. These are people who work the computers, the public affairs offices, and other support staff who aren’t on the front line making immigration arrests, but are supporting the agents who are.
These civilian support staffers haven’t been paid for almost half of the last six months when you factor in the prior shutdown last fall. They feel left behind – and feel they have no light at the end of the tunnel with this Senate bill leaving CBP & ICE unfunded through appropriations. They would have to hope GOP could take care of them in a future reconciliation bill, or that more funds could be moved around to pay them.
These are some texts I’ve gotten from these staffers…
CBP support employee:
“The senate bill paid TSA but thousands of CBP & ICE professional staff will not be paid. The last paid work day for me was February 13. Now senate on paid vacation until April 13 that is a guarantee for 2 months no pay. Very likely we won’t be paid until May if Johnson lets the bill pass.”
ICE civilian employee:
“I have a huge favor. When you guys report on the fact that ICE is funded through OB3 funds, can you please make it known that support staff (i.e. mission support, OPA, etc.) is NOT getting paid?”
HSI civilian employee:
“We civilians are not getting paid, I’m working with my mom in the hospital and not getting paid. This is all so frustrating…sorry bill for venting!”
One of Congress’ most basic functions is to fund the government. As these immigration heroes face a Senate recess, they may have to wait until the end of April or even into May without receiving a paycheck. That’s pathetic, and while Thune’s GOP-controlled Senate shares some responsibility, without question the bulk of this lays at the feet of Democrats who keep showing us they don’t care who they have to hurt or how many to gain even a speck of power.
