WireMarch 23, 2026 at 1:01 AM
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With the federal government shutdown now in its fourth week, President Trump has ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to assist overwhelmed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers at major U.S. airports. The move comes as travelers face hours-long security lines and unpaid TSA screeners grow increasingly frustrated.
White House border czar Tom Homan confirmed ICE agents will provide support in areas like exit lane monitoring and passenger ID checks, allowing TSA personnel to focus on primary screening duties. "ICE agents are assigned at many airports across the country already," Homan stated. "Certainly, a highly trained ICE law enforcement officer can cover an exit and makes sure people don't go through those exits."
"We're going to be a force multiplier," Homan said, emphasizing ICE's role in reducing wait times.
The deployment will initially focus on major hubs experiencing severe delays, including Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta and John F. Kennedy International in New York. At JFK on Sunday, large crowds of travelers faced chaotic security lines, prompting concerns about missed flights.
The budget impasse has left hundreds of thousands of DHS employees, including TSA and Coast Guard personnel, working without pay since February. While Democrats continue to demand changes to immigration enforcement practices, Trump remains committed to leveraging federal resources to address the airport crisis.