You know who isn't getting paid right now? ICE

Federal contingency planning and recent reporting indicate that most U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) employees classified as "essential" would continue working during a government shutdown and are likely to be paid, though the timing and legal basis vary. Department of Homeland Security guidance and contemporary reporting say ICE and Customs and Border Protection operations largely continue because many positions are funded through mandatory, advance, or law-enforcement exceptions to shutdown rules [1]. Legislative proposals like the Pay Our Homeland Defenders Act of 2026 would explicitly guarantee pay for DHS law-enforcement personnel during funding lapses, reflecting ongoing policy attention [2]. Reporting around the shutdown notes federal operational continuity for essential personnel, while nonessential staff face furlough or layoff risks [3] [4].