The Department of Homeland Security is asking employees to submit 30-second selfie videos detailing their financial struggles during the longest government shutdown in history. The public affairs office sent an email Tuesday requesting these personal accounts to pressure lawmakers into striking a funding deal.

Federal workers have faced severe hardships, with some delivering food or missing mortgage payments after six weeks without paychecks. The shutdown, now in its 46th day, has left tens of thousands of DHS employees working without pay or furloughed since February 14. The department has posted videos showing airport security lines and urged people to "thank a Democrat" on social media.

Despite the hardship, roughly half of DHS's 260,000 employees continue receiving paychecks through funds from President Trump's major domestic policy bill. The impasse stems from partisan divides over immigration enforcement, with Democrats demanding restrictions on agents' operations. With Congress on recess and no deal in sight, the shutdown shows no signs of ending soon.