Trump Orders ICE to Airports Amid DHS Funding Standoff

West Palm Beach, Fla. — President Donald Trump announced Saturday he will order federal immigration officers to take a role in airport security starting Monday unless Democrats agree on a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The move comes as a partial government shutdown continues to cause long lines at airports nationwide.

ICE Deployment Planned

In a series of social media posts, Trump stated he was making plans to deploy officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to airports if the congressional impasse persists. “ICE is ready to go on Monday,” he said, promising to arrest “all Illegal Immigrants.” He further stated, “I seem forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, ‘GET READY.’ NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!”

Sticking Point: Immigration Enforcement

The President’s announcement appears to be a deliberate attempt to broaden the scope of immigration enforcement, a key point of contention in Congress. Democrats have pledged to oppose DHS funding unless changes are made in response to a recent crackdown in Minnesota that resulted in the fatal shootings of two protesters. Democrats are seeking better identification for federal law enforcement officers, a new code of conduct, and increased use of judicial warrants, among other measures. The Council on Foreign Relations notes that the Trump administration has significantly ramped up immigration enforcement since returning to office in 2025.

Focus on Somali Immigrants

The Minnesota operation was partially linked to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents. Trump reiterated his criticism of Somalis, claiming they “totally destroyed” Minnesota, and indicated that ICE officers sent to airports would prioritize the arrest of undocumented Somali immigrants.

Impact on TSA and Airport Security

Trump’s posts did not detail how ICE would integrate into airport security operations or what impact this would have on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is responsible for screening passengers and luggage. While the majority of TSA employees are considered essential and continue to work during the funding lapse, they are doing so without pay. USA Today reported in March 2025 that the Trump administration had begun diverting agents from various federal agencies to focus on immigration enforcement, potentially impacting other areas of law enforcement.

Shutdown Effects and Congressional Response

The Senate rejected a Democratic motion to reopen TSA and provide back pay to affected workers on Saturday. Republicans maintain that they need to fund all parts of DHS, not just specific agencies. A previous bill to fund the entire department failed to advance in the Senate on Friday. However, there are signs of progress, with stalled talks between Democrats and the White House resuming in recent days. Senators from both parties were scheduled to meet with White House officials for a third consecutive day, and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York spoke of “productive conversations.”

Looking Ahead

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) urged the bipartisan group to reach a swift resolution, warning that airport lines would continue to grow if a compromise isn’t reached quickly. The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether ICE officers will be deployed to airports and how the ongoing government shutdown will affect air travel.