ICE Agents to Assist with Airport Security Amid Government Shutdown

Travelers flying out of San Diego International Airport and other U.S. Airports are being warned to expect potential delays as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents begin assisting with security roles amid an ongoing partial government shutdown. The move, announced by the Trump administration on Sunday, has drawn criticism from local officials and union representatives.

Shutdown Impact on TSA Staffing

The partial government shutdown has left roughly 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees working without pay, leading to increased absenteeism and staffing shortages nationwide. According to Aaron Vazquez, a TSA lead transportation security officer at San Diego International Airport (SAN) and assistant airport steward for the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1260, unplanned absences have risen from approximately 20 officers per day to 70-80 officers per day in San Diego. This has resulted in significantly longer wait times at security checkpoints, with some travelers experiencing delays of up to 80 minutes on Saturday, compared to the usual average of 20-30 minutes when fully staffed.^{San Diego Union-Tribune}

Concerns Over ICE Involvement

The deployment of ICE agents to assist with airport security has sparked objections from several local officials. Vazquez questioned the purpose of ICE involvement, stating, “I have no idea how they can contribute at an airport unless it was for intimidation purposes.”^{CBS 8} He emphasized that his role is to ensure travelers are not a security threat, a function distinct from immigration enforcement. San Diego City Councilwoman and Airport Authority Board Member Marni von Wilpert expressed similar concerns, stating that ICE’s “aggressive, abusive conduct makes us less safe” and that deploying ICE agents would make travel “more chaotic, more stressful and less secure.”^{San Diego Union-Tribune}

Federal Response and ICE’s Role

Federal officials, led by border czar Tom Homan, have stated that ICE agents will supplement TSA efforts in areas not requiring specialized TSA expertise, such as guarding exits to free up TSA officers for screening duties.^{CBS 8} President Trump announced on social media that ICE agents could also be tasked with making immigration arrests at airports if Congress did not reach an agreement to fund TSA.^{CBS 8}

Travel Advisory and Airport Recommendations

The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority has issued a travel advisory, encouraging passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to arrive at least two hours before their scheduled departure time for domestic flights and three hours for international flights.^{San Diego Union-Tribune} Airport spokeswoman Nicole Hall stated that checkpoint wait times and flight scheduling are subject to the operations of federal and airline partners, which are affected by the government shutdown.^{Yahoo News}

Immigration Attorney Saman Nasseri noted that ICE and Border Patrol already monitor airports, and the added presence is intended to address the TSA staffing issues.^{CBS 8}