Urgent: ICE Agents to Receive ‘Super Checks’ Amid Shutdown

UPDATE: Federal law enforcement agents, including those from ICE and Customs and Border Protection, are set to receive “super checks” by October 22, 2023, despite the ongoing government shutdown. This urgent move by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ensures that essential personnel are compensated while many others remain unpaid.

The DHS confirmed that more than 70,000 agents, including border patrol agents, deportation officers, and air marshals, will benefit from these payments. Meanwhile, most federal workers, who have been without pay for nearly a month, face increasing financial stress as the shutdown drags on.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated, “President Trump and I will always stand by law enforcement, and today we are keeping our promise to support them during the Democrats’ shutdown.” She emphasized the department’s gratitude for the continued service of law enforcement personnel under challenging conditions.

The funding for these “super checks” will come from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a legislative measure that allocates billions to support the DHS’s mission to secure U.S. borders. This move has raised eyebrows as it essentially allows the DHS to utilize funds that won’t expire until 2029.

While military personnel began receiving their paychecks earlier this month, the majority of federal employees continue to grapple with the ramifications of the shutdown. Johnny Jones, a TSA worker, voiced the frustrations of many, stating, “Gas stations don’t take IOUs. This is the last tank of gas I’m going to have until I get paid again.”

As of now, 19,626 of 21,028 total ICE employees are expected to work through the shutdown, while 63,243 of 67,792 Customs and Border Protection workers remain on duty without compensation. Most employees at agencies like the Social Security Administration and NASA are furloughed or working without pay, with no clear end in sight to the shutdown.

The absence of a Senate budget agreement means that disruptions affecting services such as postal operations, national parks, and airports could continue for an indefinite period. The longest previous shutdown lasted 35 days, raising concerns about the financial stability of countless federal workers and contractors.

As the shutdown persists, attention turns to how lawmakers will address the financial strain on federal employees. With essential services at risk, the urgency for resolution has never been higher. The situation continues to develop, and updates are expected as stakeholders seek to navigate this complex crisis.