ICE staff deployed at 14 US airports to fill the void generated by absent transport security officers
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been dispatched to major US airports as staffing shortages among security agents worsen during the ongoing partial government shutdown.
Across the country, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers are increasingly calling out after missing paychecks for weeks. The lapse in funding, which began February 14, has left checkpoints understaffed and triggered extensive delays, with some passengers waiting hours to clear security.
More than 3,400 TSA employees were absent on Sunday alone, with some airports reporting absentee rates exceeding 40% reported various U.S. news outlets. Locations including John F. Kennedy International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have seen particularly heavy disruptions.
Passengers are already feeling the impact. At some airports, travelers have been advised to arrive up to four hours before departure, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said delays have become so severe that some people are sleeping in terminals to avoid missing flights.
ICE mission
In response, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sent hundreds of agents to 14 airports nationwide, including hubs in New York, Atlanta, and Houston. According to White House border official Tom Homan, their role is limited to assisting with crowd management and other non-screening duties.
Officials say the goal is to ease pressure on TSA staff so they can focus on core aviation security tasks. Acting TSA Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl described the ICE presence as a “force multiplier” to stabilize operations.
Still, the move has raised concerns. Civil rights advocates argue ICE agents are not trained for airport security and warn of potential profiling risks.
Airport leaders are also sounding the alarm. In a letter to Congress, more than 100 executives, coordinated by Airports Council International, warned the disruption could have lasting consequences if the shutdown continues.
However, the political standoff in Washington shows little sign of resolution. Disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over immigration policy and DHS funding remain unresolved, leaving thousands of federal employees—including TSA staff—without pay.
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