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Charlotte-area family impacted by shutdown supports border wall

The TSA reports it experienced a national rate of 10 percent of unscheduled absences on January 21, compared to just over 3 percent a year prior.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The government shutdown is affecting many families across the country and here in the Charlotte area as government employees continue to work without a paycheck.

The Transportation Security Administration reports it experienced a national rate of 10 percent of unscheduled absences on January 21, compared to just over 3 percent a year prior. 

According to a release, many employees are not coming to work due to financial limitations.

Dana Knox, whose husband is a TSA officer at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, said their family has had to find other financial means to supplement their income during the shutdown. 

Knox said they are relatively unaffected thanks to her husband’s military background and a zero interest loan from Navy Federal.

"It hasn't really affected us too much other than, you know, I feel bad,” Knox said. “I feel bad for the people who aren't in our situation that don't have the security of a military past that helps us get through."

Knox said her husband believes working for the TSA is a duty to this country, and she said he’ll continue to show up for his shifts to support their beliefs on immigration.

"Though [we] don't like to see people suffer, we definitely believe something needs to be done about immigration in this country,” Knox added.

It is not the case for every federal worker though, as some turn to the community groups like “Moms Making Moves” for help with food or other necessities during the financial strain.

"Hopefully the shutdown does not last another two weeks, but if it does continue to go on, like, who knows how much need there's going to be,” said Maleka Anderson, co-founder of the group. “There's definitely going to be a bigger need."

Knox said she hopes other families can find assistance like hers did to help them through the shutdown, but she said she also hopes the illegal immigration issues are fixed in the end.

"We're prepared to do it as long as we need to,” Knox said.

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