The U.S. Department of Homeland Security entered a partial shutdown early Saturday local time, as Congress remains deadlocked over funding with no immediate resolution in sight. The shutdown was triggered by a strong backlash against the Trump administration's large-scale, aggressive immigration enforcement raids across the nation.

The funding lapse is expected to last for several weeks. Congress is currently in recess, and Democrats are pushing for new restrictions on the methods used by immigration officers patrolling U.S. cities, with no agreement yet reached between the two sides.

While the immediate impact of the shutdown is limited, it is likely to grow over time. Unlike the record 43-day shutdown late last year, funding for most other U.S. government agencies has already been allocated through September 30. Additionally, more than 90% of Homeland Security employees are deemed essential and will continue working during the shutdown.

This means that immigration raids, citizenship processing, airport security screenings, cybersecurity operations, and Coast Guard activities will proceed uninterrupted. However, employees outside of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection will not receive their next scheduled paycheck in two weeks. This may lead to service delays and could eventually result in long security lines at U.S. airports.

In a memo directing the department to implement its shutdown plan, White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought stated, "The administration will continue to work toward a good-faith, bipartisan resolution to complete the appropriations process and avoid another destructive government shutdown."

Because the funding lapse only affects the Department of Homeland Security, the release of key economic data relied upon by markets will proceed unaffected, and defense contractors will not face payment delays.

Air traffic controllers will continue to work without interruption. During last year's shutdown, unpaid absences led to significant flight cancellations, which in turn increased pressure to end the shutdown.

Vought also emphasized that immigration and border security—central issues Democrats are seeking to reform—have already received sufficient funding through the Trump tax cut legislation.