Helicopters patrolling US-Mexico border keep flying despite government shutdown

U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopters remained in the air over the U.S.-Mexico border Tuesday despite the government shutdown.

Although their paid leave has been temporarily suspended, agents with the Office of Air and Marine (OAM) are considered essential to national security and are therefore exempt from furloughs. OAM helicopters support the Border Patrol as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel protecting border areas.

-- Getty Images

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