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

UPDATE: Federal law enforcement officers, including agents from ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are set to receive “super checks” as the government shutdown continues. This urgent announcement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) comes as many federal workers face their fourth week without pay.

The DHS confirmed that more than 70,000 law enforcement employees, including border patrol agents, deportation officers, and air marshals, will see their pay by October 22, 2023. As the situation unfolds, officials emphasize the importance of supporting law enforcement during this critical time.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated,

“President Trump and I will always stand by law enforcement, and today we are keeping our promise to always support them by making sure they are paid during the Democrats’ shutdown.”

This pay structure will compensate eligible employees not only for the current pay cycle but also for the initial days of the shutdown and any overtime incurred.

The funding for these “super checks” is sourced from the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allocates billions to support DHS operations aimed at safeguarding U.S. borders. DHS estimates that approximately 19,626 out of 21,028 total ICE employees will continue to work during the shutdown.

While federal law enforcement personnel will receive pay, most government employees are still struggling. Hundreds of thousands are either furloughed or working without pay, leading to financial strain. As one TSA worker expressed,

“Gas stations don’t take IOUs.”

Many federal workers report anxiety about meeting daily expenses and have shared that they are down to their last resources.

The shutdown, which began on October 1, 2023, has resulted in significant disruptions across various federal agencies. Employees at the Social Security Administration, the Centers for Disease Control, and NASA are not receiving paychecks. These workers, alongside many others, received only prorated payments earlier this month and may not receive back pay for hours worked after the shutdown began.

As the situation develops, the White House has also approved military personnel to receive their pay, using leftover funds from the current fiscal year. This decision, however, has caused friction among lawmakers, as previous shutdowns typically involved specific legislation to ensure troop payments.

With no end in sight for the government shutdown, the impact on everyday services continues to grow. Citizens may experience disruptions at the post office, national parks, and airports. The longest shutdown in U.S. history lasted 35 days in 2018, raising alarms about potential extended consequences for federal services.

As this urgent news unfolds, attention remains focused on the government’s next steps and the potential for negotiations to end the shutdown. Readers are encouraged to stay informed as critical developments arise surrounding federal employee payments and the ongoing impacts of the shutdown on American lives.