U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized Democratic lawmakers for seeking to defund key immigration enforcement agencies during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Now exceeding one month, the partial shutdown has left TSA workers unpaid and created multi-hour delays at airports, particularly affecting travelers during the spring break period. Duffy emphasized that “common sense Democrats” need to negotiate a solution to avoid further disruptions.

The shutdown began in late February 2026 after bipartisan funding talks failed. Democrats have proposed excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from the funding bill, while Republicans insist on maintaining comprehensive support for all DHS agencies to ensure border security. The impasse reflects deeper policy disagreements over immigration enforcement rather than immediate operational needs.

Transportation officials warn that continued gridlock could exacerbate airport delays and disrupt essential services across the country. Federal agencies continue to operate under limited funding, but the lack of agreement threatens the stability of border security and domestic transportation operations. Duffy’s comments underscore the urgency for lawmakers to reach a practical compromise.

While negotiations continue, the focus remains on ensuring that both security measures and essential services are maintained without further endangering federal personnel or the public. The DHS shutdown highlights the tension between policy priorities and the operational needs of critical government agencies.