Security is arguably at the heart of the United States partial government shutdown: President Trump’s demand for $5.6 billion to start building a wall along the southern border with Mexico is the major bone of contention as gridlock in Washington prevents passage of a spending bill to keep the government in full operation.
The partial government shutdown has affected security in other ways, too, and some of the impact could continue long after the impasse is settled. Some 800,000 federal employees are impacted, some on full or partial leave as a result of the shutdown and others working without knowing when they will get paid.
Cybersecurity initiatives delayed
Furloughed federal employees tasked with cybersecurity are not on hand to address the constant threat to government IT systems from possible hackers and other bad actors. In fact, hackers may decide the government shutdown is a vulnerable time to launch an attack.
Hackers may decide the government shutdown is a vulnerable time to launch an attack Specifically, the new Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency, launched last fall, is operating with a skeleton staff. If the shutdown encourages cybersecurity experts to seek other employment, the resulting drain of “knowledge capital” could be a lasting detriment.
New cybersecurity initiatives are also being delayed, such as the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act, aimed at creating a baseline of security defense across government web sites. Some government websites have had their Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption certificates expire during the shutdown.
Impact on TSA agents
Although Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents remain on the job at major airports, they will not be paid again until after the shutdown is over. The resulting negative impact on morale has arguably slowed down airport security operations, although airports have not reported any major problems.
In addition, some agents have called in “sick” and/or sought other employment to provide income during the shutdown. In the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, the number of agents calling out sick reportedly increased by 200% to 300%. The absences can aggravate existing TSA staffing shortages.
Impact on border protection agents
Customs and border protection agents are also on the job with no assurance of when they will be paid. Other immigration agents in the Department of Homeland Security are also currently without pay. Hearings on immigration cases are being canceled, which can result in a large backlog to be addressed after the shutdown ends.
| Customs and border protection agents are also on the job with no assurance of when they will be paid |
What about worker documentation?
A consequence of the shutdown is unavailability of the government’s E-Verify system, which is used to verify a worker’s immigration status prior to being hired by an employer. During the lapse in government appropriations, employers will not be able to access their E-Verify accounts, create an E-Verify case, edit company information, terminate accounts, run reports, etc.
Long-term impact on government employment
The longer the shutdown continues, the more employees will be encouraged to seek work elsewhereThe shutdown may lead federal employees to seek work in the private sector, where their paycheck is not likely to be delayed because of a political impasse. The longer the shutdown continues, the more employees will be encouraged to seek work elsewhere, whether on a temporary basis or as a permanent alternative. Manpower shortages can translate into security risks.
Trump has argued for funding of the border wall on security and humanitarian grounds and has sought to put pressure on newly empowered Democrats. However, adding physical barriers at the border is only part of the solution to border security, says the conservative Heritage Foundation. Also needed are improved technology to monitor the border and appropriately equipped border patrol agents.
Holistic approach to border security
This holistic approach of combining barriers, technology, and people is the cost-effective way to secure the border, says Heritage Foundation. It’s also important to enforce immigration laws, and border security does nothing to stop visa overstays, another source of illegal immigration.
The Democratic opposition has said Trump’s urgent call to build the wall is a “manufactured crisis,” and the wall would be “immoral” and “ineffective.” Weeks into the impasse, there is no end in sight.