DHS shutdown: Border czar Tom Homan signals no compromising on masks

Partial shutdown underway as GOP infighting continues

We are learning more this weekend as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is shut down after Congress failed to fund the agency before a midnight deadline. Most indicators show the partial shutdown is due to deadlock over federal immigration operations. TSA agents at airports across the U.S. are expected to keep working without pay as a result. House Republicans who are typically reliable ‘yes’ votes are becoming increasingly frustrated with a small faction of their colleagues. According to Congressional Reporter Kate Santaliz of Axios, these reliable voters are "fed up" with repeated threats to rule votes and a number of these lawmakers are now considering retaliation. 

White House border czar Tom Homan said Sunday the administration was unwilling to agree to Democrats' demands that federal officers clearly identify themselves, remove masks during operations and display unique ID numbers.

What they're saying:

"I don’t like the masks, either," Homan said on CBS’ "Face the Nation." But, he said, "These men and women have to protect themselves."

FILE - Border Czar Tom Homan visits 'Varney & Co.' at Fox Business Network on January 13, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)

Why do ICE agents wear masks? 

Big picture view:

Face masks have emerged as a symbol of President Donald Trump’s ICE crackdown and are a flashpoint in Congress.

What they're saying:

The Department of Homeland Security believes the masks are important to safeguard employees from online harassment. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement says on its website that its officers "wear masks to prevent doxing, which can (and has) placed them and their families at risk. All ICE law enforcement officers carry badges and credentials and will identify themselves when required for public safety or legal necessity."

For context:

Last fall, Homeland Security issued a press release to say ICE law enforcement officers were facing an 8,000% increase in death threats against them. The press release did not include context about the timeframe the department was using to measure and compare the amount of threats.  

RELATED: DHS shutdown: These agencies will feel the biggest impact

DHS government shutdown

Big picture view:

A partial government shutdown began Saturday after congressional Democrats and President Trump's team failed to reach a deal on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security through September. 

Whether to allow — or ban — the masks has emerged as a central question as Congress debates over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. 

The other side:

Democrats want to ban masks as one of several proposals to rein in immigration operations. They are demanding changes to how immigration operations are conducted after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officers in Minneapolis last month.

Border Czar Homan: Minnesota ICE crackdown ending

Border Czar Tom Homan announced the end of the immigration crackdown in Minnesota that led to mass detentions, protests and two deaths. 

RELATED: TSA agents are working without pay again: What this means for travelers

Meanwhile:

The work at ICE and CBP is continuing during the shutdown because Trump’s tax and spending cut law from 2025 provided billions more to those agencies that can be tapped for deportation operations.

What's next:

Congress is in recess until Feb. 23.