DHS Shutdown Disrupts Family Access to Detainees, Raises Oversight Concerns
As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered its sixth week without full government funding on March 21, 2026, families faced increasing difficulties locating and communicating with loved ones held in immigration detention. The ongoing shutdown has also sparked concerns among Democratic lawmakers and legal professionals regarding oversight and accountability within the agency.
Impact on Families and Detainee Access
U.S. Representative Julie Johnson (D-TX) highlighted the plight of families struggling to connect with detained relatives. “I have had numerous constituents reach out to my office who have been unable to locate family members or secure medical treatments for those held in detention, all while Members of Congress continue to receive inconsistent responses from this administration regarding the scope of their oversight authority and the role of the agency during a lapse in funding,” Johnson stated in a statement to NPR.
Political Blame and Funding Disputes
The White House and Republicans have attributed blame for the shutdown to Democrats, citing disagreements over immigration enforcement policies. Republicans have argued that the shutdown hinders essential programs while allowing immigration enforcement to continue. Democrats, including Representative Johnson, have sought changes to immigration enforcement practices as a condition for approving funding. Johnson maintains that political disputes should not impede congressional oversight.
Limited Congressional Access and Oversight
Representative Johnson attempted an unannounced visit to the Dallas ICE field office to assess conditions, but was only allowed entry while her staff was denied access. This visit was prompted by the recent death of Mohammad Nazeer Paktiawal, an Afghan asylum seeker who died shortly after entering ICE custody. Johnson has also introduced legislation requiring DHS to maintain communication with Congress even during funding lapses.
Inconsistent Oversight and Past Disruptions
Immigration attorney Marium Uddin noted that the current shutdown’s impact on DHS oversight is uneven and difficult to measure, particularly at the individual case level. This is not the first time DHS has faced a shutdown, with a previous lengthy shutdown lasting over six weeks in the fall of 2025. During that prior shutdown, the Office of Detention Oversight was confirmed to be non-operational.
Furloughed Employees and Continued Enforcement
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reported that approximately 100,000 DHS employees are furloughed during the current shutdown, though the specific areas affected remain unclear. Despite the shutdown, immigration enforcement activities appear to be continuing uninterrupted, supported by billions of dollars allocated for deportation and detention through the Republicans’ One Big Attractive Bill Act passed in the summer of 2025. Immigration courts within the Department of Justice are also unaffected.
Concerns Over Civil Rights and Liberties Reporting
Concerns about DHS oversight were further amplified by accusations from former employees of the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL). These former employees alleged that the department provided lawmakers with a misleading report on civil rights complaints, underreporting the number, scope, and outcomes of investigations. The report for fiscal year 2024 was significantly shorter than previous reports, spanning only 17 pages compared to 129 pages the prior year.
The former CRCL employees claimed that the report omitted crucial information regarding investigations and recommendations related to the ICE detainee locator, disaster relief program management, and the use of the Migrant Operations Center at Guantanamo Bay. DHS refuted these claims, stating it is streamlining oversight and correcting data integrity issues from previous administrations.
Legislative Action and Continued Debate
Representative Julie Johnson previously voted against a bill to fund ICE and the Department of Homeland Security on February 3, 2026, citing concerns about the agency’s accountability and treatment of American citizens according to a press release. She has demanded reforms, including ending warrantless arrests and ensuring proper training and accountability for federal agents. A similar vote against funding occurred in January 2026, with Johnson citing constitutional concerns as reported by QuiverQuant.