Urgent: Law Enforcement to Receive ‘Super Checks’ Amid Shutdown

URGENT UPDATE: The Department of Homeland Security has announced that select federal law enforcement personnel will receive a special “super check” during the ongoing government shutdown. This decision means that more than 70,000 officers from agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Secret Service will be compensated soon, with payments expected to hit bank accounts by October 22, 2023.

This move comes as most federal workers continue to work without pay, with the shutdown now entering its fourth week. The funds for these payments are being drawn from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aimed at supporting homeland security efforts through to 2029. A spokesperson confirmed that 19,626 of 21,028 ICE employees and 63,243 of 67,792 CBP workers will continue working, either with or without pay.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “

President Trump and I will always stand by law enforcement, and today we are keeping our promise to always support them by making sure they are paid during the Democrats’ shutdown.

” This commitment underscores the administration’s support for law enforcement amid financial uncertainty for many federal employees.

The “super check” means eligible officers will receive payment for the current pay cycle, plus retroactive compensation for the first few days of the shutdown, along with any accrued overtime. However, this payment plan has raised concerns, as it appears to prioritize certain workers over the hundreds of thousands of others who remain furloughed or working without pay.

As of now, employees from agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Social Security Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control are not receiving full paychecks. Many are struggling to afford basic necessities, with TSA worker Johnny Jones noting, “Gas stations don’t take IOUs.” Workers across multiple federal agencies express anxiety about their financial security as the shutdown persists.

The decision to pay military personnel was also made earlier this month, utilizing leftover funds from the current fiscal year’s budget. This unilateral decision by the White House has sparked frustration among lawmakers, as it bypasses the typical legislative process usually required for such actions during a shutdown.

Without a budget agreement in sight, the government shutdown could continue indefinitely, affecting services such as the post office, national parks, and airport operations. The longest previous shutdown lasted 35 days in 2018. As the situation develops, it remains crucial for the American public to stay informed on how these financial changes will impact government services and federal workers alike.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story unfolds.