WASHINGTON — Tens of thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have worked without pay for weeks following a partial government shutdown that began on February 14, prompting the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to major airports nationwide in an effort to alleviate security line delays.
The shutdown, triggered by a legislative impasse over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding and immigration enforcement policies, has left TSA employees without salaries since mid-February. According to reports from Newsweek and Vanity Fair, the financial strain has led to a surge in resignations, with nearly 400 TSA workers reportedly quitting since the funding lapse. Some agents have warned they may seek new employment if paychecks do not arrive soon.
In response to the staffing crisis and record wait times at airports, President Donald Trump announced the deployment of ICE agents to assist with security screening. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey confirmed that ICE officers are present at JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia airports. Officials stated the agents would be deployed to approximately 14 major airports across the country, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and William P. Hobby Airport in Houston.
President Trump issued an executive order directing the deployment, stating that ICE agents would help move lines along while emphasizing their primary focus is to assist TSA operations. "They could make immigration arrests at airports," Trump said, though he noted the core mission is to reduce wait times. The President also directed that ICE agents working at airports should not wear masks, describing the practice as "not the right look" for terminals.
The deployment has drawn mixed reactions from travelers and officials. A viral photo of an ICE officer at JFK airport sparked widespread discussion on social media, with some questioning the utility of the move. However, a DHS official claimed an ICE agent at JFK saved the life of a 1-year-old boy who stopped breathing in a security line, an account corroborated by Newsweek and The Washington Times. Conversely, some TSA officers have expressed frustration with the arrangement; Pascual Contreras, a TSA officer, told Newsweek that ICE agents have been "standing around" and are "in the way."
Wait times at major hubs have reached critical levels, with reports of four-hour delays and medical emergencies occurring in queues. Data indicates that wait times vary significantly by location, though extreme delays persist at several airports. In a sign of the severity of the situation, one airline temporarily revoked fast-track security perks for members of Congress amid the chaos.
Political tensions remain high as lawmakers debate a resolution. Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) claimed the President blocked earlier payments to TSA workers, stating Trump wanted "no deals with the Democrats." Meanwhile, Senator John Thune reportedly discussed the shutdown with the President over the weekend. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and others have called for an immediate end to the shutdown, while Senator John Fetterman noted he was the lone Democrat to vote with Republicans to fully fund DHS.
Amidst the political standoff, billionaire Elon Musk offered to personally pay TSA agent salaries, a proposal President Trump addressed. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also offered the National Guard to assist with airport security, while other states have explored similar measures.
The Department of Homeland Security has set a critical deadline for March 27, after which the funding impasse could result in further operational disruptions. As of Monday morning, William P. Hobby Airport in Houston recorded the highest security check waiting times. Congress faces pressure to reach an agreement to restore funding and pay the workforce, though a resolution remains elusive.
Fact-checks regarding specific incidents have been released by various outlets. The Metropolitan Airports Commission in Minneapolis attributed relatively low wait times to the local TSA team, refuting claims that ICE deployment was necessary there. Similarly, reports of arrests by federal immigration agents at San Francisco International Airport were confirmed, though officials maintain the primary goal remains staffing support.
As the shutdown continues, travelers are advised to check real-time wait times and consider alternative screening methods to mitigate delays. The situation remains fluid as negotiations between the White House and Congress continue.