ICE Agents to Assist TSA Amid Ongoing DHS Shutdown
By John Nada·Mar 22, 2026·4 min read
ICE agents are set to assist TSA at U.S. airports to ease security lines amid a prolonged DHS shutdown, raising concerns over traveler safety.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be deployed to U.S. airports starting Monday to alleviate long security lines caused by the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. White House border czar Tom Homan confirmed this deployment during an appearance on CNN, stating that ICE will assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) by guarding exit doors, allowing TSA agents to focus on screening travelers.
The initiative comes as the DHS shutdown, which began on February 14, continues to strain airport operations. Many TSA agents have either called out or resigned due to unpaid work, leading to significant staffing shortages. According to an NBC News report, over 400 TSA officers have left their posts since the shutdown began, exacerbating wait times for travelers.
Travelers have been facing hours-long waits at TSA checkpoints, a situation that has created considerable frustration and concern among the flying public. This escalation in wait times has prompted the White House to take action, as President Donald Trump threatened to deploy ICE agents to airports if the government shutdown did not come to an end soon. Homan further emphasized that the deployment of ICE agents is intended to relieve TSA agents from duties outside their specialized training, thereby allowing them to focus on the critical task of screening passengers and ensuring safety.
Democratic leaders have criticized the decision to deploy ICE agents, arguing that it could lead to further chaos at airports. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed concerns about untrained ICE agents potentially endangering passengers. He emphasized that Democrats are not willing to support additional funding for DHS without significant changes to immigration enforcement practices. This conflict highlights the political tensions surrounding the funding of DHS and its subagencies, including TSA and ICE.
The concerns raised by Jeffries are not unfounded, especially given the history of incidents involving ICE. There have been instances where ICE agents have been accused of using excessive force or engaging in practices that have raised safety concerns. Jeffries articulated his fears that deploying untrained personnel to sensitive areas such as airports could lead to dangerous situations for travelers. The Democratic stance reflects a broader anxiety about the implications of immigration enforcement practices and their intersection with public safety.
Some Republicans have shown interest in separating the funding for ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from the rest of DHS. Senators Ted Cruz and John Kennedy have suggested employing a reconciliation process to fund ICE without Democratic support. This could lead to a significant shift in how funding is allocated within DHS, particularly if TSA and other agencies are funded separately from ICE and CBP. This idea of separating funding reflects a growing divide within Congress about how best to manage DHS resources during a contentious political climate.
The deployment of ICE agents signals the deepening impact of the DHS shutdown on airport operations and the travel experience. As the situation evolves, travelers and airport authorities alike will be watching closely to see how this assistance unfolds and whether it effectively mitigates the current security bottlenecks. Homan mentioned that the details of the deployment plan are still under discussion, indicating a level of uncertainty about how ICE agents will be integrated into the airport security framework.
The ongoing shutdown and its implications for staffing and security at airports raise critical questions about the intersection of immigration policy and public safety. As Congress grapples with DHS funding, the outcomes could reshape not just airport security but also the broader framework of immigration enforcement in the U.S. The political dynamics surrounding this issue will likely reverberate throughout Congress, influencing future negotiations over DHS funding and immigration policy.
Moreover, the potential for a reconciliation bill that could allow Republicans to fund ICE without needing Democratic support could set a precedent for future funding battles. This maneuvering points to the contentious nature of immigration policy in the United States, where funding decisions are often entangled with broader ideological battles. As Congress is poised to make critical decisions regarding DHS funding, the outcome will have implications far beyond airport security, potentially affecting the livelihoods of thousands of TSA workers and the operational integrity of airport security across the nation.
As travelers prepare for their journeys amidst this turbulent backdrop, many are left to wonder how the presence of ICE agents at airports may alter their experience. It remains to be seen whether this initiative will bring relief to the long lines and delays or if it will introduce new layers of complexity and concern into the airport environment. Given the heightened sensitivities around immigration enforcement, the actions taken by the federal government will be scrutinized closely by both the public and lawmakers, shaping the discourse around immigration and security for the foreseeable future.