The Trump administration has announced the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to several major United States airports beginning Monday, March 23.
This move follows a period of significant travel disruption and staffing shortages within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The deployment is a response to a continued congressional deadlock regarding a Department of Homeland Security funding bill.
Senate votes on standalone TSA funding recently failed to pass, leaving approximately 50,000 TSA officers to work without pay.
Data indicates that over 400 TSA officers have resigned since mid-February.
Additionally, sick call-outs have doubled, reaching 10 percent at some major aviation hubs compared to the standard 2 percent rate.
Wait times for travelers have surged to over three hours at airports including JFK International, LaGuardia, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, and Houston.
Reports from New York City airports on Sunday described lines extending through terminals amid spring break travel demands.
President Trump confirmed the deployment via social media, stating the move aims to maintain security and dependability.
White House Border Czar Tom Homan is coordinating the operation, which involves already-funded ICE personnel.
ICE agents will not perform technical baggage or passenger screening, which requires months of specialized training.
Instead, they will manage non-screening tasks such as directing passenger lines, monitoring exit doors, and performing identity checks.
Visible patrols have already been observed at JFK's Terminal 5.
The administration argues these measures will allow remaining TSA staff to focus exclusively on core security screening duties.
Critics of the plan argue that ICE agents lack the specific training required for airport environments.
Some lawmakers and civil rights groups have expressed concern that the deployment serves as a political maneuver rather than a long-term solution.
Opponents further suggest the presence of immigration agents could intimidate travelers or complicate airport logistics.
Industry experts note that the move does not address the underlying issue of unpaid federal workers or the broader funding impasse.
Congress remains divided over the funding legislation, with Democrats requesting reforms to immigration enforcement and Republicans criticizing the delay as a risk to national security.
No immediate resolution to the funding crisis is currently scheduled.
Transparency notes
Published: Mar 23, 2026. Last updated: Mar 23, 2026.
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