The DHS' partial shutdown, which began on February 14, stems from congressional disputes over immigration enforcement and policy reforms.
Critical, essential functions like the Transportation Security Administration, Coast Guard and Border Protection remain operational but under severe strain. Nearly 90% of staff are working without pay.
Ira Mehlman, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, points out that American air and sea military power are fully deployed in the Persian Gulf, and the Iranian regime has already lashed out against its Arab neighbors.
Within hours of the U.S. strikes, a man wearing a "Property of Allah" sweatshirt and an Iranian flag opened fire outside a crowded bar in Austin, Texas. In New York City, two suspects were arrested over the weekend after throwing explosive devices into a crowd of anti-Islam protesters.
DHS believes it is just a matter of time before Iran responds with state-sponsored terror attacks against the United States.
"Funding the DHS is certainly something that needs to be addressed," Mehlman insists. "The Democrats have been playing a game of political chicken here at a time when threats to the security of this country have never been greater."
"All the intelligence agencies tell us there are sleeper cells here, and to have DHS shut down at such a perilous time is unconscionable," he adds.
As Mehlman recently told AFN, he believes President Donald Trump has appointed Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin the new DHS secretary for a reason.
"It certainly helps to have somebody who is coming from within Congress," he submits. "There's always been an element of collegiality in this area."
Commending Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) for signaling that he would vote to confirm Mullin, Mehlman says the other Democrats need to put politics aside.
"Get that agency funded, and fight about this later," he says.
The rest of the federal government remains open, but the DHS partial shutdown is now in its third week.
