ICE Agents Deploy to 14 US Airports as DHS Shutdown Enters Sixth Week and TSA Staffing Hits Crisis Point

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents fanned out across at least 14 of the busiest airports in the United States on Monday, arriving at terminals in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Houston and Philadelphia after President Donald Trump ordered their deployment over the weekend . The move came as a partial government shutdown that has left the Department of Homeland Security without funding entered its sixth week, and Transportation Security Administration officers — who have been working without pay since mid-February — reached a breaking point Trump deploys ICE agents to US airports amid staffing issues, delaysaljazeera.com·SecondaryImmigration agents have begun deploying to some airports in the United States as a federal government funding battle has led to long delays and staffing problems at airports across the country. The Reuters news agency reported on Monday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed it has begun deploying hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to assist in security at airports facing significant staffing issues..

The deployment marked the escalation of a threat Trump first issued on Saturday via Truth Social, writing that he would move ICE agents to airports where they would provide security unless congressional Democrats agreed to fund DHS . By Sunday, Border Czar Tom Homan confirmed on CNN that plans were being drawn up, framing the operation as support for TSA staff whose ranks have thinned dramatically Trump threatens to send ICE agents to US airports unless DHS deal reachedtheguardian.com·SecondaryPresident attacks ‘Radical Left Democrats’ after homeland security funding bill again sinks in Senate Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Donald Trump threatened on Saturday to deploy federal immigration agents to US airports on Monday if Democrats do not agree to measures aimed at strengthening security and immigration enforcement.. On Monday morning, hundreds of agents in tactical vests and body armor began arriving at airports including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Chicago O'Hare, all three New York-area airports, Houston Bush and Hobby, Philadelphia, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Cleveland Hopkins, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Fort Myers and San Juan Trump threatens to put ICE agents in airports over funding impassechannelnewsasia.com·SecondaryMore than 400 TSA workers have quit since the partial government shutdown began on Feb 14, and over 10 per cent of TSA officers called in sick on more than half of the past seven days, US Customs and Border Protection agents and a convoy wait at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to transport detainees during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan 11, 2026..

The scale of the TSA staffing crisis that prompted the deployment has been mounting for weeks. According to DHS data, more than 400 TSA employees have quit since the partial shutdown began on February 14, and unscheduled absences have more than doubled across the system . On Saturday, the agency recorded its highest call-out rate of the shutdown at roughly 11.5 percent of the scheduled workforce Trump threatens to put ICE agents in airports over funding impassechannelnewsasia.com·SecondaryMore than 400 TSA workers have quit since the partial government shutdown began on Feb 14, and over 10 per cent of TSA officers called in sick on more than half of the past seven days, US Customs and Border Protection agents and a convoy wait at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to transport detainees during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan 11, 2026.. At Chicago Midway International Airport, nearly 30 percent of officers called in sick that day. TSA agents missed their second full paycheck on Friday, and union officials have described a workforce in financial distress Trump threatens to send ICE agents to airports amid TSA funding impassefrance24.com·SecondaryUS President Donald Trump on Saturday warned he may deploy ICE agents to US airports if Congress fails to fund airport security. The move comes as TSA staff face a second missed paycheck in a 36-day partial government shutdown, raising fears of travel disruption. Critics question ICE’s suitability for airport duties, given its focus on immigration enforcement..

The partial shutdown traces back to a February funding deadline that Congress failed to meet. While most of the federal government was funded through a continuing resolution late last year, DHS appropriations were carved out for separate negotiations . Democrats have since refused to pass DHS funding without reforms to immigration enforcement, specifically demanding better identification for federal officers, a new code of conduct and stricter warrant requirements . Those demands intensified after an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis in January led to clashes that resulted in the deaths of two protesters, Alex Pretti and Renee Good . Republicans argue the entire department should be funded as a package and have accused Democrats of holding DHS hostage over immigration politics Trump administration deploys ICE agents at airports across USaljazeera.com·SecondaryTrump administration deploys ICE agents at airports across US The Trump administration has deployed ICE agents to airports across the United States amid staffing issues and delays. It’s seen as a negotiating tactic in a funding dispute with Democrats, who describe it as a dangerous move..

The White House rejected at least one compromise that emerged from bipartisan Senate negotiations. Sources told ABC News that negotiators reached a deal on Sunday that would have funded all of DHS except ICE, but the proposal was shot down by the administration . Trump has encouraged Republican lawmakers to continue negotiating through the Easter recess, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged both sides to find a resolution quickly Trump administration deploys ICE agents at airports across USaljazeera.com·SecondaryTrump administration deploys ICE agents at airports across US The Trump administration has deployed ICE agents to airports across the United States amid staffing issues and delays. It’s seen as a negotiating tactic in a funding dispute with Democrats, who describe it as a dangerous move.. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer described the talks as productive but acknowledged the distance between the two sides Trump deploys ICE agents to US airports amid staffing issues, delaysaljazeera.com·SecondaryImmigration agents have begun deploying to some airports in the United States as a federal government funding battle has led to long delays and staffing problems at airports across the country. The Reuters news agency reported on Monday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed it has begun deploying hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to assist in security at airports facing significant staffing issues..

On the ground at airports, the ICE presence drew sharply divided reactions. At O'Hare, roughly 75 agents covering multiple shifts deployed to the nation's busiest airport, though none were visible near the main security checkpoints on Monday . DHS said agents would perform non-screening functions such as managing lines and reminding passengers to remove liquids from carry-on bags, since ICE officers are not trained in TSA screening procedures Trump threatens to put ICE agents in airports over funding impassechannelnewsasia.com·SecondaryMore than 400 TSA workers have quit since the partial government shutdown began on Feb 14, and over 10 per cent of TSA officers called in sick on more than half of the past seven days, US Customs and Border Protection agents and a convoy wait at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to transport detainees during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan 11, 2026.. In Atlanta, where lines had stretched from the screening area through baggage claim and onto the curb by early Monday morning, some travelers were openly skeptical of the deployment's purpose. At the same time, other passengers welcomed the additional federal presence as a stabilizing force during what one described as total chaos.

The legal and constitutional dimensions of the deployment drew scrutiny from multiple directions. The Guardian noted that whether ICE or Customs and Border Protection has statutory authority to detain non-citizens within the country without a warrant — including at airports — remains disputed Trump deploys ICE agents to US airports amid staffing issues, delaysaljazeera.com·SecondaryImmigration agents have begun deploying to some airports in the United States as a federal government funding battle has led to long delays and staffing problems at airports across the country. The Reuters news agency reported on Monday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed it has begun deploying hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to assist in security at airports facing significant staffing issues.. The relevant federal statute permits warrantless activity primarily within a reasonable distance of external borders, raising questions about enforcement at inland airports Trump deploys ICE agents to US airports amid staffing issues, delaysaljazeera.com·SecondaryImmigration agents have begun deploying to some airports in the United States as a federal government funding battle has led to long delays and staffing problems at airports across the country. The Reuters news agency reported on Monday that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed it has begun deploying hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to assist in security at airports facing significant staffing issues.. Trump stated on Monday morning that ICE agents would be able to arrest undocumented immigrants at airports, calling it a fertile enforcement opportunity, though Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said federal officials had indicated the deployment was not intended for immigration enforcement activities.

Critics framed the deployment as an escalation of the administration's immigration posture rather than a genuine response to the TSA staffing shortage. NAACP President Derrick Johnson called the agents inadequately trained and accused the administration of a deliberate decision to station armed immigration officers at airport checkpoints. The AFGE union, which represents TSA agents, issued a pointed statement calling on the government to simply pay its workers rather than bringing in untrained personnel. Union representatives warned that introducing ICE agents into airport operations could create additional confusion rather than alleviating it Trump threatens to put ICE agents in airports over funding impassechannelnewsasia.com·SecondaryMore than 400 TSA workers have quit since the partial government shutdown began on Feb 14, and over 10 per cent of TSA officers called in sick on more than half of the past seven days, US Customs and Border Protection agents and a convoy wait at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport to transport detainees during immigration enforcement activity in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Jan 11, 2026..

The situation was compounded on Monday by a fatal crash at LaGuardia Airport, where a plane struck a ground vehicle and killed two pilots, forcing the airport to shut down until the afternoon and sending ripple effects through the national air travel system. The combination of the shutdown-driven staffing crisis, ICE deployments and the LaGuardia closure created what several travelers and aviation officials described as the most chaotic day at American airports in recent memory.

Supporters of the deployment, including Border Czar Homan, argued that the administration was doing what it could within available resources to address an immediate operational crisis caused by congressional inaction Trump threatens to send ICE agents to US airports unless DHS deal reachedtheguardian.com·SecondaryPresident attacks ‘Radical Left Democrats’ after homeland security funding bill again sinks in Senate Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox Donald Trump threatened on Saturday to deploy federal immigration agents to US airports on Monday if Democrats do not agree to measures aimed at strengthening security and immigration enforcement.. Trump also requested that ICE agents remove their face masks while at airports, a notable shift from enforcement operations in the field that critics seized upon as evidence that the masks had never been about officer safety. Some travelers expressed support for the agents' presence, viewing it as a necessary measure to maintain order during an unprecedented disruption to air travel.

The standoff shows no signs of imminent resolution. With Easter approaching and Congress set to recess, the prospect of TSA officers going weeks more without pay has raised alarm among aviation unions and passenger advocacy groups. If the shutdown persists, the staffing exodus is expected to accelerate, potentially forcing the closure of additional security checkpoints at major hubs. The deployment of ICE agents, whatever its practical effect on wait times, has transformed a budget dispute into a broader confrontation over the boundaries of federal law enforcement at the nation's airports.