Federal Immigration Agents Deployed to US Airports Amid Shutdown

As a partial government shutdown continues, federal immigration officers are being deployed to airports across the United States to support the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The move comes after President Donald Trump directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to assist with security checkpoints experiencing long lines due to staffing shortages.

Increased ICE Presence at Airports

On Monday, March 23, 2026, federal officers were observed near busy lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport [Fox10TV]. The administration signaled that agents would be deployed to airports with the longest wait times, with Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Lauren Bis stating that “hundreds” of ICE officers would be involved, though specific airport locations were not fully disclosed for security reasons [Fox10TV]. Other airports set to receive ICE support include Louis Armstrong International in New Orleans, and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby airports [PBS].

Shutdown Impact on Homeland Security

The deployment of ICE officers is a direct response to the ongoing partial government shutdown, which began after Congress failed to renew Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding last month. Hundreds of thousands of DHS employees, including TSA, U.S. Secret Service, and Coast Guard personnel, have been working without pay [Fox10TV]. This has led to increased sick calls and resignations among TSA agents, resulting in checkpoint closures and significantly increased wait times for travelers.

Concerns and Criticisms

The move to utilize ICE agents at TSA checkpoints has drawn criticism from unions representing flight attendants and other aviation workers. A coalition of unions expressed concerns that the deployment is a “distraction from solutions that protect Americans” and that ICE’s presence could potentially escalate tensions and distract from airport security [Fox10TV]. They are calling for immediate payment of TSA workers.

Political Context

President Trump stated he would order the deployment unless Democrats agreed to fund DHS. Funding lapsed on February 14th as Democrats sought changes to ICE and Customs and Border Protection operations following incidents in Minneapolis [Fox10TV]. Democrats are demanding policy changes, including warrant requirements for ICE home entries and the removal of identifying information from ICE uniforms.

Additional Incident at LaGuardia Airport

Separately, New York’s LaGuardia Airport experienced a shutdown following a runway collision on Sunday, March 23, 2026, involving an Air Canada regional jet and a fire truck. The incident resulted in fatalities and injuries, and LaGuardia is expected to remain closed until at least 2 p.m. ET on Monday. Air traffic has been diverted, and operations at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey were also halted [Fox10TV].