ICE Agents Deployed to Airports Amidst Shutdown, Raising Concerns

WASHINGTON – As the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enters its sixth week, President Trump has authorized the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at U.S. Airports. The move, announced Sunday, March 22, 2026, aims to alleviate growing security lines and address staffing shortages caused by the ongoing budget impasse, but has sparked criticism from Democrats who fear escalating tensions with travelers.

Shutdown Frustrates Travelers and TSA Staff

The DHS shutdown, which began last month after Congress failed to renew funding, has left hundreds of thousands of homeland security workers, including TSA, U.S. Secret Service, and Coast Guard employees, working without pay. The White House reports that over 300 TSA officers have resigned, and others are calling out of work, leading to significant delays at airports nationwide. People wait in a TSA line at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Trump Authorizes ICE Deployment

President Trump stated on social media that ICE agents would begin assisting TSA on Monday, guarding exit lanes and checking passenger IDs unless Democrats agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security. He blamed Democrats for the shutdown, citing their demands for changes to federal immigration operations.

Concerns Raised by Democrats and Republicans

The plan has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) called the deployment a “bad idea,” emphasizing the need to resolve the DHS funding issues and pay TSA agents. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) expressed strong opposition, warning that “untrained ICE agents” could potentially “brutalize or in some instances kill” travelers.

Role of ICE Agents Remains Unclear

White House border czar Tom Homan is leading the ICE deployment, but the specifics of the operation remain unclear. Homan indicated that ICE agents would relieve TSA agents of guard duty at terminal entries and exits, but stated they would not be involved in tasks requiring specialized training, such as operating X-ray machines. However, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy suggested ICE agents are capable of operating X-ray machines, creating confusion about their intended role.

Negotiations Stalled

Congress has failed to advance a DHS funding bill for the fifth time. ICE, however, remains well-funded after receiving billions of dollars from Congress last summer through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The shutdown was triggered by the deaths of two U.S. Citizens at the hands of federal immigration agents in Minnesota, leading Democrats to demand changes to ICE policy, including a requirement for judicial warrants and a ban on agents wearing masks during enforcement operations. It is currently unknown whether deployed ICE agents will be required to remove masks.

Looking Ahead

Homan met with lawmakers last week to discuss DHS funding but indicated no deal was imminent. He affirmed that ICE agents will continue to enforce immigration laws while deployed at airports. The situation remains fluid, and the duration of the shutdown, and the ICE deployment, will depend on the outcome of ongoing negotiations between the White House and Congress.