If the US Government is shut down, why is ICE out and about?

[haele]

4. They're probably exempt workers who are going to get back pay -

And were directed to open up direct deposit accounts at the credit unions or banks will front them a no-interest loan to maintain their pay until the government re-opens.
Furloughed workers that aren't except aren't allowed to come to work. Each Department has different rules as to whether they're able to be paid back (unless they're RIF'ed) or it's an administrative furlough (no payback) and becomes a gap period for pay purposes, or shutdown furlough (payback whether excepted or not).
For example, I've just been told I'm going to be an excepted furlough "worker" sometime over the next couple weeks when my primary organization runs out of FY 25 capital funds already obligated - working with no pay right before Thanksgiving - even though there is enough money to pay for my position as being part of the "necessary work category" on the books through January of next year.
The folks that are paid on OPM funds rather than project funds - the majority of the Federal workforce aren't getting paid, and risk being let go because their work can be contracted out or their Department deemed too "Woke" or too helpful to the serfs who should have made better choices rather than bother the Lords for work or assistance.