Why do ICE agents get paid during the partial government shutdown, but not TSA?

The partial government shutdown has created a stark disparity: ICE agents continue receiving paychecks while TSA agents do not, prompting hundreds of TSA workers to resign and thousands more to call out. The difference stems from how Congress classified the two agencies—ICE falls under the Department of Homeland Security's law enforcement division and is deemed essential, while TSA is classified differently and its workforce is considered non-essential during a lapse in appropriations. The TSA staffing crisis threatens airport security operations, with some facilities reporting significant disruptions as agents weigh financial hardship against continued work. The shutdown exposes how federal funding classifications determine which workers stay on the job unpaid and which are furloughed entirely, raising questions about fairness and operational preparedness during extended budget lapses.