Trump directs DHS to issue shutdown back-pay to all employees, White House says

Lawmakers have failed to agree on legislation to fund the agency in the wake of deadly shootings by immigration agents earlier this year.

US President Donald Trump on Friday directed the Department of Homeland Security to pay "each and every" employee the equivalent of compensation and benefits lost during the U.S. lawmakers' partial shutdown of the agency, according to a memo published by the White House.

Donald Trump said the funds would have a "reasonable and logical nexus" to DHS functions. (AFP File)

Trump said the funds would have a "reasonable and logical nexus" to DHS functions, a possible allusion to legal questions surrounding the potential reallocation of funds appropriated by Congress for specific purposes.

Lawmakers have failed to agree on legislation to fund the agency in the wake of deadly shootings by immigration agents earlier this year.