Will ICE agents continue working during the government shutdown?

Despite the federal government grinding to a halt late last night, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents aren't clocking out.

Immigration enforcement operations will continue mostly as usual, according to a contingency plan from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dated Sept. 27.

ICE currently employs 21,028 people and 19,626 of them — about 93% — will continue to work during the shutdown, according to the DHS plan.

This is more minimal than what was projected by the agency in 2022, when ICE estimated it would have to furlough just 17% of its employees in the event of a shutdown, according to the American Immigration Council .

"Because most of ICE's work is deemed 'essential' law enforcement work ... ICE would continue the current trends and levels of immigration enforcement including arrests and raids, expansion of the rapidly growing detention system, and deportations," the Immigration Council said.

Furthermore, the organization said the "unprecedented level of funding" ICE was given through the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" passed by Congress in July — $75 billion over four years — will allow the agency to continue "even if the broader federal government shuts down, including hiring and expansion of its workforce."

As for Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which has 67,792 workers, 63,243 will be retained during the shutdown, the DHS plan reads.

While closer to the agency's 2022 estimations of 8% of employees furloughed, CBP's law enforcement functions are also deemed "essential" and "will continue unaffected during a shutdown," the Immigration Council said. Similar to ICE, funding from July's bill is expected to "also provide CBP some cushion to continue operating and paying" officers.

Any employees who are not exempt could be furloughed in as little as four hours the morning after the government shuts down, according to the DHS plan.

While much of DHS is considered "essential" to government operations, other federal agencies were instructed by the White House Office of Management and Budget to prepare plans for mass firings of employees who work for programs not legally required to continue.

More stories involving ICE

• Worcester Council says no to potential partnership between ICE, police department

• Mother arrested in chaotic Worcester ICE operation granted asylum

• Manager of Boston restaurant released by ICE after over 100 days in custody

• Worcester councilor decries 'bogus charges' at court hearing over ICE arrest

• Judge holds off on decision to dismiss charges against former Worcester candidate

Read the original article on MassLive . Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here .