(CNN) The month-long partial government shutdown is all about a standoff over a wall.

But it is having the unintended consequence of highlighting some inequality here inside the US borders. It's only about a quarter of the federal government affected by the shutdown, but some groups of workers are particularly hard hit, like the Transportation Security Administration.

Dialing down into certain agencies, particularly TSA, shows a population that is comprised of a much higher percentage of minorities who are among the lowest paid government employees but provide services essential to national security and have been working hard for more than a month with no pay.

TSA, which falls under the Department Homeland Security, has more than 60,000 employees and is among the largest affected agencies. It's also the one whose workers might interact more directly with the public. Everyone who flies in the US encounters a TSA screener.

The median TSA salary is less than $41,000

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