This stemmed from disputes over the extension of status of persons affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy, and therefore whether those covered under the program should face deportation.

[4] The negotiations on a permanent appropriations bill had become entangled with disputes over the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) immigration policy.

The policy was established by the Obama administration through executive action in June 2012 in response to Congress' failure to pass the DREAM Act.

The Trump administration rescinded DACA in September 2017, setting an expiration date of March 2018, with the stated preference that Congress adopt a legislative solution.

[5] The first 2018 shutdown began when the Senate failed to overcome a Democratic filibuster[6] of a temporary continuing resolution (an appropriations bill), which requires a 3/5 supermajority to end.

This continuing resolution, supported by Republican leadership, included a six-year authorization for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which had not been funded since October, and delayed several healthcare taxes stemming from the Affordable Care Act.

Democrats preferred a shorter resolution lasting a few days, intending for negotiations to incorporate an extension of the DACA policy.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell objected to the measure, wanting to "restore funding for the entire government before this becomes necessary".

[21] One day after this bill failed, Vice President Mike Pence told American troops in Syria that "a minority in the Senate has decided to play politics with military pay".

[32] The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) remained open during the shut down because it had access to fees already collected in prior years,[36] the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it could stay open for a week, and workers from the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of State (DOS) were told to report to work on Monday.

[43] On January 19, Trump tweeted, "Not looking good for our great Military or Safety & Security on the very dangerous Southern Border.

Dems want a Shutdown in order to help diminish the great success of the Tax Cuts, and what they are doing for our booming economy.

[46] Referencing his meeting with Trump, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement, "We discussed all of the major outstanding issues, we made some progress, but we still have a good number of disagreements.

[48][49] On January 21, Trump tweeted, "If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on real, long term budget, no C.R.'s!

[52] In a speech to US servicemembers at a military facility near the Jordan–Syria border, Vice President Mike Pence said that immigration talks between lawmakers and the White House couldn't proceed until the government reopens.

[61] In another poll conducted by Politico and Morning Consult January 18–19, voters were equally divided on whether it was worth it to shut down the government to pass a bill that allows those eligible for DACA to stay in the US.

[71][73] At midnight, the Office of Management and Budget issued an order to close nonessential government operations and for federal employees to report to work Friday to implement their contingency plans.

[74][75][76] On the evening of March 21, 2018, the text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018[77] was released, with Congress expecting to approve it within two days.