Over 300,000 government workers could be fired, says MAGA activist Mila Joy: what the US shutdown means for immigrant employees

The US federal government entered a shutdown on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass the necessary funding bills. This marks the first full government shutdown since 2019, forcing the suspension of many non-essential operations while essential services, such as air traffic control and law enforcement, continue to function. During shutdowns, federal employees are either furloughed without pay or required to work without immediate compensation, with retroactive pay typically approved once funding resumes. A tweet by MAGA activist Mila Joy caught widespread attention: “Over 300,000 government workers could be FIRED tonight, because of the shutdown. Who voted for that?” While this statement exaggerates the immediate impact, it highlights growing concerns about the effect of th