The United States Department of Homeland Security has entered a partial shutdown as of the weekend of February 14, 2026, after Congress failed to agree on new funding. While the political fight is focused on immigration policy and oversight of border enforcement, the immediate concern for many readers is much more practical. With the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection and several other key agencies caught in the crossfire, travelers are bracing for the possibility of longer lines, scattered disruptions and a new round of uncertainty just as the busy spring travel season approaches.
What Exactly Has Shut Down at Homeland Security
The current situation is not a complete closure of the Department of Homeland Security but a partial shutdown triggered when lawmakers allowed DHS funding to lapse. Under the agency’s contingency plans, activities considered essential for the protection of life and property must continue even without an active budget. That means airports remain open, borders stay staffed and critical security missions carry on, at least on paper.
In practice, however, large parts of the DHS workforce are suddenly in a very different position. According to current planning documents, roughly nine out of ten DHS employees are expected to keep working during the shutdown but without immediate pay. This category includes the vast majority of Transportation Security Administration officers at airport checkpoints and frontline personnel at Customs and Border Protection. A smaller share of staff judged to be nonessential are being placed on unpaid furlough, suspending a variety of administrative and support functions that travelers rarely see but often rely on indirectly.
The shutdown also touches the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Secret Service, among other components, though their impacts on day to day travel are more likely to be felt in the background. For the airline and tourism sectors, the crucial point is that most security and inspection posts will remain staffed, but with a workforce whose paychecks have stopped and whose patience may be tested if the crisis drags on.
How Airport Security and TSA Screening Could Be Affected
For passengers, the biggest question is whether they will get through security in time for their flights. At the moment, airports across the United States remain operational, and Transportation Security Administration agents are still reporting for duty. By design, roughly 95 percent of TSA employees are labeled essential and must continue working despite the funding lapse. Airlines have not reported systemic cancellations or ground stops tied directly to the DHS shutdown.
The concern lies not in the first days but in what happens if the shutdown endures for weeks. History from previous federal funding fights has shown that prolonged periods without pay lead to more sick calls, lower morale and rising attrition. During the long shutdown in 2018 and 2019, unscheduled absences among TSA officers surged in some locations, forcing certain airports to close security lanes and prompting reports of wait times stretching well beyond an hour at peak periods.
Officials and aviation experts warn that a similar pattern could emerge if the current standoff persists. Because agents are required to be on the job but are not receiving paychecks, many may seek temporary work on the side or face difficulty covering basic expenses. That strain can translate into thinner staffing at certain checkpoints, especially early mornings and late evenings. The result for travelers would be more inconsistent experiences from airport to airport, with some hubs coping relatively well while others see sporadic bottlenecks and tense queues at security.
Impact at the Border, Ports and Cruise Terminals
Beyond airports, the Department of Homeland Security plays a central role in how people move across U.S. borders by land and sea. Customs and Border Protection officers remain on duty at land crossings, seaports and cruise terminals during the shutdown. Like their TSA counterparts, they are classified as essential and continue to work without pay for as long as the funding impasse continues.
Travelers driving across the border from Canada or Mexico may encounter slightly longer waits if staffing gaps develop or if schedules are stretched to cover essential posts. The same is true at busy container ports and cruise embarkation terminals, where CBP is responsible for screening passengers and baggage. For now, agencies say that primary screening functions will remain in place and that national security will not be compromised, but some secondary inspections or less urgent processing may be deprioritized.
International arrivals by air should still clear passport control and customs as normal, though, as with TSA, the risk of slowdowns rises if officers begin to call out or leave for other opportunities. Travel industry groups are watching closely, noting that foreign visitors often form their first impression of the United States while standing in line at passport control. Even modest delays can ripple outward, affecting hotel check in times, connecting flights and tour schedules.
What This Means for Visas, Immigration Services and Trusted Traveler Programs
Another area of high interest for travelers is the status of visas, immigration processing and fast track security programs. Here the news is somewhat more reassuring. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that handles most visa petitions, green card applications and naturalization paperwork, is primarily funded by the fees people pay with their applications rather than by annual congressional appropriations. Because of that fee based funding model, many of its core operations are expected to continue even during the DHS shutdown.
That means consular processing and petition adjudications should not grind to a halt purely because of the current funding lapse. However, some ancillary programs that rely on appropriated funds, or that require coordination with other DHS components, could still feel knock on effects. Applicants should be prepared for longer timelines and should watch for any revised guidance from officials if the shutdown continues.
Trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI are also operated under the umbrella of Homeland Security, largely through Customs and Border Protection. Enrollment centers may remain open but could face limited staffing. Interviews might be rescheduled, and background checks could take longer if certain support functions are curtailed. Existing members should still be able to use their benefits at automated kiosks and dedicated lanes, but renewal decisions may not move as quickly as advertised.
National Parks, Tourism Sites and the Wider Travel Economy
Although the current funding lapse is concentrated at the Department of Homeland Security rather than the entire federal government, the broader travel ecosystem is still watching nervously. Memories of the wider shutdowns in 2018 to 2019 and again in 2025 remain fresh in the tourism industry. During those episodes, national parks operated with limited staff, some visitor centers were closed and maintenance fell behind. Private tour operators reported spikes in demand as they tried to fill the gaps left by absent rangers and shuttered facilities.
This time, national parks and museum operations are not automatically shut by the DHS specific funding lapse, because many of those sites fall under different departments. Still, the possibility of a broader budget standoff is never far from the minds of hoteliers, airlines and destination marketing organizations. Any prolonged perception that the United States is a difficult or unpredictable place to visit can nudge international tourists to choose other destinations and may encourage domestic travelers to postpone big trips.
In the near term, the more direct economic consequence is the strain on hundreds of thousands of federal employees who either continue working without pay or are furloughed. In many communities, those workers are also customers of local restaurants, attractions and transportation providers. As the shutdown lengthens, their reduced spending can subtly dampen economic activity in cities that depend heavily on government payrolls and travel related revenue.
How Long Could Disruptions Last and What Comes Next
At this stage, there is no firm timeline for when the Department of Homeland Security will be fully funded again. Negotiations on Capitol Hill have broken down over disagreements on immigration enforcement, oversight of border agencies and accountability measures tied to recent high profile incidents. A temporary extension was floated but failed to gain enough support, leaving the department to operate under shutdown procedures until lawmakers return from the Presidents Day recess and attempt to revive talks.
Analysts caution that the practical effects of a DHS shutdown often unfold in stages. The first few days may look fairly normal for travelers, with only minor inconveniences and the usual variability from airport to airport. If the stalemate lasts for several weeks, however, stresses in the system begin to surface more visibly as unpaid workers struggle to manage bills, staff shortages worsen and maintenance or training activities fall behind. At that point, stories of long security lines, scattered flight delays and under pressure officers could once again dominate travel headlines.
Ultimately, the scale of disruption will depend on how quickly Congress and the White House can reach a compromise that restores funding to the department. Travel experts note that every shutdown follows its own trajectory. Some are resolved in days, others stretch for weeks. For now, the official message from aviation and border authorities is that they will do everything possible to keep essential travel moving safely, even under extraordinary budget constraints.
Practical Advice for Travelers During the DHS Shutdown
For readers planning domestic or international trips in the coming days and weeks, the most effective response is preparation rather than panic. Flights are still operating, and most security checkpoints remain open, but it is sensible to allow more buffer time from the moment you arrive at the airport to your scheduled departure. Many airlines and airports provide real time security wait estimates through their own channels or airport display boards, which can help you fine tune your arrival time on the day of travel.
Travelers should pay careful attention to packing guidelines and documentation. Making sure liquids and electronics are packed correctly, and that travel documents are organized and ready to present, can reduce the likelihood of secondary screening that adds extra minutes at the checkpoint. For international trips, double check that passports, visas and any required entry forms are valid well in advance, to avoid last minute complications if processing backlogs worsen.
It is also wise to keep in close contact with airlines and tour operators. They are monitoring conditions at major hubs and can alert passengers if unusual delays are building at certain airports. Flexible tickets, travel insurance that covers delays and a willingness to adjust connection times can all add an extra layer of resilience in an uncertain environment. For those who have the option, traveling outside peak hours early in the morning or late in the evening may still offer smoother experiences at some airports, although staffing patterns can vary.
What to Watch in the Days Ahead
As the partial Homeland Security shutdown unfolds, travelers and industry professionals will be watching several indicators. Among them are reported wait times at key hubs, absentee rates among TSA and CBP officers, and any announcements of temporary checkpoint closures or reduced operating hours. Travel trade associations and unions representing federal workers are likely to speak out if conditions at the front lines deteriorate, offering an early warning signal for more serious disruption.
Another key factor is the tone emerging from Washington as lawmakers reconvene. Signs of progress toward a negotiated funding bill could calm nerves and reassure nervous travelers, while entrenched positions and public brinkmanship may feed the perception of instability. International partners and foreign carriers are watching closely, evaluating whether the U.S. market will remain predictable enough for their schedules and long term plans.
For now, the message for travelers is measured caution. The Department of Homeland Security shutdown is a serious development that has real human and operational consequences, especially if it persists. Yet it does not currently amount to a wholesale shutdown of American travel. Airports are open, borders are staffed and flights are still taking off. With extra time, careful planning and an eye on the news, most journeys should still be possible, even as the United States once again tests the resilience of its travel system under political strain.