The partial government shutdown, effective since Saturday, has raised significant concerns about the operational capabilities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), particularly relating to the oversight of immigration enforcement. The department’s independent watchdog, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), has warned that the lack of funding is likely to put several vital investigations at risk.

Currently, the DHS’s inspector general is managing eight active probes into the Trump administration’s immigration policies. These include investigations into the use of facial recognition technology and alleged instances of excessive force by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. However, the funding shortfall has forced the OIG to suspend about 85 percent of its operations, including audits, evaluations, and inspections.

The standoff in Congress continues, with Democrats pushing for reforms such as mandatory body cameras for ICE and Customs and Border Patrol agents, while Senate Republicans and the White House remain steadfast against these demands. This impasse suggests that DHS may remain unfunded for at least another 10 days, exacerbating the situation.

The implications of the shutdown extend beyond immediate financial constraints. Historical precedents during previous government shutdowns show that ICE has restricted congressional oversight by furloughing its congressional relations team and blocking lawmaker visits to detention facilities.

Moreover, the shutdown significantly reduces the workforce of the OIG, with about 60 percent, including auditors and inspectors, being furloughed. Only personnel funded through secondary sources, like the Disaster Relief Fund, can continue working. This reduction severely hampers the OIG’s ability to oversee various critical areas, including the Secret Service’s response to the July 2024 assassination attempt against former President Trump and ongoing reviews related to DHS’s cybersecurity and counterintelligence operations.

Mark Greenblatt, former inspector general of the Department of the Interior, emphasized the detrimental impact of such shutdowns on oversight capabilities. "These situations need an independent voice to provide facts on the ground regarding these sensitive issues," Greenblatt stated. He highlighted the frustration of pausing important audits and reviews, which ultimately fails the American public.

Accusations have also surfaced against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for allegedly undermining the OIG's independence. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) expressed concerns in a recent letter, suggesting that Noem’s office might have influenced the OIG’s ability to conduct unbiased investigations.

As the shutdown drags on, the integrity and effectiveness of DHS oversight remain in jeopardy, raising alarms about the transparency and accountability of immigration enforcement at a critical time for the nation.