Unpacking the Impact of New DHS Policies on the Trump Administration

Biden administration’s last-minute DHS policy changes spark debate over fiscal responsibility and employee welfare.

Quick Takes

DHS employees granted three additional vacation days for 2025, valued at $3 billion.
Job restructuring at USCIS allows automatic pay upgrades without merit-based qualifications.
Critics argue changes cater to union interests at the expense of fiscal responsibility.
Concerns arise about potential challenges for the incoming administration.

Mayorkas’ Parting Gift: $3 Billion in Extra Vacation Time

In a controversial move, outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has granted Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees an additional three days of administrative leave for 2025. This decision, made in the final days of the Biden administration, has ignited a fierce debate over fiscal responsibility and employee welfare within one of the nation’s most critical agencies.

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The Biden administration has implemented changes at the Department of Homeland Security that may increase operational costs and reduce the effectiveness of border security funding. Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas granted additional vacation days and…

— The America One News (@am1_news) January 19, 2025

The extra vacation time, valued at approximately $3 billion, brings the total amount of administrative leave granted during Mayorkas’ tenure to over six weeks. This unprecedented move has earned him the nickname “Santo Mayorkas” among department employees, but it has also raised eyebrows among fiscal conservatives and government watchdogs.

“The Department of Homeland Security is tasked with some of the federal government’s most foundational responsibilities. The last thing taxpayers need is to furnish them with more time off when most federal workers are not reporting to the office daily anyway.” – John Hart, CEO of Open the Books

USCIS Job Restructuring: Automatic Pay Upgrades Raise Concerns

In addition to the extra vacation time, the Biden administration has implemented significant changes to job structures within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The merger of two job positions, ISO-1 and ISO-2, now allows employees to achieve higher pay grades through tenure rather than merit. This restructuring spans from GS-5 to GS-12 pay grades, enabling promotions without competition or proof of ability.

Critics argue that this change could lead to less qualified agents handling complex immigration cases and potentially impact the agency’s budget control. The timing of these changes, with the merged job positions posted on USAJobs.gov on January 17, the last weekday of the Biden administration, has fueled speculation about the motives behind these reforms.

Challenges for the Incoming Administration

These eleventh-hour policy changes present significant challenges for the incoming Trump administration. Revoking the additional time off could potentially lead to backlash and demoralization among DHS employees. The administrative challenges of tracking the usage of this extra leave further complicate the situation.

The average hourly pay for a Homeland Security employee is estimated at $43, contributing to the substantial $3 billion cost of the additional leave. This financial burden, coupled with the critical responsibilities of the DHS, raises questions about the department’s ability to maintain operational efficiency while accommodating these generous leave policies.

While some employees express gratitude for Mayorkas’ generosity, others remain skeptical about the longevity of these policies under new leadership. The incoming administration faces the delicate task of balancing fiscal responsibility with employee morale, a challenge that will likely shape the department’s operations and budget for years to come.