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Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began deploying to major U.S. airports Monday as staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) intensified during a partial government shutdown.
ICE agents were spotted at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and O’Hare International Airport, with additional deployments expected at airports including Pittsburgh International Airportand Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, as well as Houston’s major hubs.
The move comes after weeks of mounting disruptions caused by unpaid TSA workers, who have gone without pay since the shutdown began in mid-February. On Saturday alone, more than 11.5% of TSA officers nationwide called out — the highest rate since the funding lapse began.
Travel Disruptions Mount
Airports across the country experienced severe delays over the weekend, with security lines stretching for hours. At Hartsfield-Jackson, the nation’s busiest airport, some travelers reported waiting as long as six hours to pass through security checkpoints.
Airport staff handed out water to stranded passengers, many of whom were advised to arrive up to four hours before departure. Some still missed their flights.
ICE Role Limited
While the Trump administration said ICE agents would help stabilize airport operations, officials indicated their role would be largely limited to crowd control rather than conducting security screenings.
Experts note that TSA officers undergo specialized training that ICE agents typically do not have. In addition, agents’ ability to operate beyond checkpoints may depend on whether they hold Security Identification Display Area (SIDA) credentials, which are required for access to secure zones.
Political and Labor Backlash
The deployment follows an announcement by President Donald Trump, who over the weekend said ICE agents would be sent to airports hardest hit by staffing shortages. He also urged agents not to wear masks while on duty at airports.
The decision has drawn criticism from Democrats and labor groups, who argue that replacing trained TSA personnel with immigration enforcement agents raises safety concerns.
Everett Kelley, head of the union representing TSA workers, said officers “deserve to be paid, not replaced by untrained, armed agents.”
Critics also point out that the shutdown itself stems in part from disputes over immigration enforcement policies, including oversight of ICE operations.
Ongoing Funding Stalemate
The partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has left thousands of employees unpaid and contributed to a growing number of resignations among TSA staff.
Lawmakers remain deadlocked over funding, with disagreements centered on immigration policy and proposed reforms to ICE practices.
What Comes Next
It remains unclear how long ICE agents will remain at airports or whether their presence will meaningfully reduce delays.
With negotiations in Congress ongoing and staffing shortages worsening, travelers may continue to face significant disruptions unless a funding agreement is reached soon.
