WASHINGTON – Despite a potential government shutdown, the vast majority of immigration enforcement officers will be exempt and continue working, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s contingency plans.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which is in the middle of a hiring surge, has 21,028 workers and would exempt 19,626 during a lapse in funding, according to the plan dated Sept. 27.
Customs and Border Protection has 67,792 workers and would retain 63,243 during a shutdown, according to the plan. Most of the remaining workers could be furloughed in as little as four hours, the agencies said, although some may take a few days to handle last-minute responsibilities such as procurement and budgeting.
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Like the Pentagon, much of the Department of Homeland Security is considered "essential" to government operations and remains on duty during a temporary funding shutdown.
