Hundreds of CBP Civilian Employees Unpaid or Furloughed Amid Ongoing Shutdown: Report

Civilian employees at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) remain unpaid or furloughed more than a month into the federal government shutdown, even as many front-line law enforcement personnel have resumed receiving pay.

CBP confirmed to Border Report that civilian workers continue without compensation or have been placed on furlough. These employees include management and program analysts, training range safety specialists, and personnel working in intelligence, cybersecurity, and human resources.

A source told Border Report the civilian workforce is "a vital component" of CBP operations, and some staff are struggling to make mortgage payments or are taking part-time jobs. The number of civilian positions nationwide was not available, though the source estimated "hundreds" of such workers are based in San Diego. Front-line operations are not currently affected, the source said.

The situation follows a separate action by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in late October authorizing payment for select law enforcement personnel. According to DHS, more than 70,000 Border Patrol agents, deportation officers, special agents, and air marshals received what the agency described as a "super check," compensating them for the current pay cycle, part of the previous cycle, and any overtime.

"President Trump and I will always stand by law enforcement," DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said at the time, adding the administration was acting to ensure those workers received pay during the shutdown. DHS said funding for these payments was drawn from the administration's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which allocates billions of dollars for homeland security-related activities through 2029. A

Other agencies have also relied on administrative action to pay personnel. Military service members began receiving paychecks in mid-October after the administration authorized use of existing Defense Department funds.

The shutdown, now in its second month, has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay and has raised concerns about service disruptions. Millions of Americans could lose access to food assistance as benefits expire.

President Trump continued to place responsibility for the shutdown on Democrats on during the weekend, describing them as "crazed lunatics" who have "lost their way." In comments made during a 60 Minutes interview, he said his plan to end the impasse is to "keep voting," asserting that Republicans are unified while Democrats are blocking action.