I’m in a kind of similar position. One way (although probably not 100 percent reliable) to check if your agency falls under the hiring freeze is to look at USA jobs and see if they have any active postings there. If yes, then they are likely not affected because the OPM Memorandum (which you can also look up) says “All positions that are not exempt from the hiring freeze must be unlisted from USAJOBS.gov and any other applicable websites no later than January 21.”
I tested it with some non-national security departments and got no listings. The one I’m in the process with is still advertising though. So there’s some hope, I guess.
The Memo also states: The following exemptions to the Federal civilian hiring freeze are required:
a. Military etc.
b. Positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety.
c. Senior executives etc. etc.
It’s not much, I know, but let’s not lose hope! Good luck!