Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
Major U.S. airports continued to warn travelers of long security lines Sunday, even after Donald Trump ordered emergency pay for Transportation Security Administration officers amid the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
The directive, issued Friday, instructs the Department of Homeland Security to begin paying TSA workers who have gone without paychecks since funding for the agency lapsed on Feb. 14.
But officials and airport authorities cautioned that delays could persist for days — or longer — as staffing shortages and high callout rates continue to strain operations.
Travel disruptions continue
Airports across the country urged passengers to arrive hours early as security wait times remained elevated during a busy travel period that includes spring break and upcoming holidays.
At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, officials advised travelers to arrive at least four hours before flights. Similar warnings were issued at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where wait times were expected to reach four hours or more.
Airports serving New York City — including LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport — restored estimated wait time trackers after briefly removing them due to rapidly changing conditions.
At Baltimore-Washington International Airport, officials said wait times had improved Sunday but still advised passengers to plan ahead.
ICE agents remain at airports
To address staffing shortages, the administration deployed officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to assist at airport security checkpoints.
White House border czar Tom Homan said Sunday the agents will remain in place as long as needed.
“ICE is there to help our brothers and sisters in TSA,” Homan said, adding that their deployment depends on how quickly TSA staffing levels recover.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said additional ICE personnel were sent to assist at BWI, emphasizing their role is to support screening operations, not immigration enforcement.
Pay rollout and staffing concerns
Officials said TSA workers could begin receiving back pay as early as Monday or Tuesday, though uncertainty remains about how quickly payments will be processed.
Nearly 500 TSA officers have left the agency since the shutdown began, according to DHS, raising concerns about longer-term staffing shortages.
Union leaders warned that some workers may not receive full back pay or compensation for missed shifts if they were unable to report to work during the shutdown.
Uncertain recovery timeline
Experts say the impact of resumed pay may take time to translate into shorter lines.
Caleb Harmon-Marshall, a former TSA officer, said staffing levels are unlikely to stabilize until workers are confident pay disruptions will not recur.
Meanwhile, TSA must decide whether to reopen closed or consolidated security lanes that were shut down due to staffing shortages — a move that could help ease congestion.
With some airports reporting callout rates as high as 40% in recent weeks, officials say it could take days or weeks for operations to return to normal.
Until then, travelers are being advised to allow extra time as the system works to recover from one of the longest DHS shutdowns on record.
