Washington, March 23: The Trump administration is responding to increasing pressure on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) by deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Long security lines have been reported at major U.S. airports during the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, leading to growing frustration among travelers.
Tom Homan, the White House’s head of border affairs, informed CNN that ICE agents will be stationed at airports starting Monday. Their role will be to assist with security at entry and exit points, alleviating the strain on TSA due to staff shortages.
According to The Washington Post, Homan clarified that ICE agents will not conduct specialized screening tasks like X-ray checks but will help monitor exit points and verify passenger identities.
The administration and Democrats have exchanged blame over the chaos caused by the shutdown.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Levitt stated on social media platform X that “Congressional Democrats are deliberately causing distress to American travelers and federal employees by keeping DHS shut down. This is extremely wrong and unacceptable.”
Fox News reported that long TSA lines and travel disruptions are being experienced across the country as staffing issues have worsened during the shutdown. In some locations, passengers are facing wait times of several hours.
A traveler at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport remarked, “The line is extending to the parking garage.”
CBS News reported that some passengers at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport waited up to five hours due to severe staffing shortages and TSA delays caused by the shutdown.
The New York Post noted that wait times at the Atlanta airport reached nearly three hours, with one passenger commenting on X, “The line wraps around baggage claim, and it’s complete madness.”
Reports also indicated that daily absenteeism among TSA employees surged to 40% due to agents not receiving pay during the shutdown.
The Washington Post stated that Homan described the deployment of ICE as a way to free TSA officials for more specialized tasks. He said, “We will be at airports tomorrow to help move TSA lines along. This will allow TSA officers to return to screening and expedite passenger processing.” He added that ICE will act as a “force multiplier.”
However, critics have raised concerns about whether this will genuinely reduce delays. Labor representatives and former officials noted that many airport screening choke points require technical training, which ICE agents lack.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed concern, stating, “It is truly alarming to have untrained ICE agents at our airports, which have caused problems everywhere. This invites trouble.”
According to Newsweek, the issue of long lines has been less pronounced at the 20 airports where private screening contractors operate, as these airports continued to function normally since private companies paid their employees during the shutdown.
This surge in delays at airports comes at a time when the shutdown is putting pressure on one of the most visible services of the U.S. government: air travel.
Atlanta, one of the world’s busiest air hubs, has become a symbol of this chaos, with images of crowded security checks being widely shared.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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