DHS Shutdown Enters Day 44 — Officially the Longest Partial Government Shutdown in U.S. History

The DHS partial government shutdown entered its 44th day on March 29, 2026, making it officially the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. history. Congress had left for a two-week recess without resolution. TSA workers had missed two full paychecks; 510 TSA officers had quit since the shutdown began on February 14. Some airports reported absentee rates exceeding 40%, producing the highest TSA wait times on record, with some exceeding four and a half hours. Trump signed an order to resume TSA pay. ICE remained fully funded and operational throughout the shutdown under separate appropriations from the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' enacted in 2025. The administration's target of 100,000 detention beds was still being pursued; ICE was holding approximately 70,000 people in custody.