Federal Union Opposes Replacing TSA with 'Untrained, Armed' ICE Agents

The largest federal workers union says ICE agents lack the specialized training required for airport security checkpoints.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:12pm

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The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union, has spoken out against the Trump administration's plan to replace Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at airport security checkpoints. The union's president, Everett Kelley, stated that ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security, unlike TSA officers who undergo months of specialized instruction to detect explosives, weapons, and other threats.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown has left the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA, unfunded, leading to staffing shortages and long wait times at airport security checkpoints. The Trump administration's plan to use ICE agents as a stopgap measure has raised concerns about the safety and effectiveness of airport security without properly trained personnel.

The details

President Trump said he would tap ICE agents to help with airport security as the partial government shutdown continues. However, the union president argued that ICE agents lack the specialized training and certification required for the job, stating that "You cannot improvise that. Putting untrained personnel at security checkpoints does not fill a gap. It creates one." The White House Border Czar, Tom Homan, said the administration was actively working on a plan to integrate ICE agents into airports, but the union president called on Congress to "stop playing politics and do their jobs" to resolve the funding issue and pay TSA officers, who have not received a paycheck in five weeks.

  • The partial government shutdown has been ongoing for five weeks.
  • More than 400 TSA officers have quit since mid-February due to the lack of pay.

The players

Everett Kelley

President of the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal employee union.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who said he would tap ICE agents to help with airport security.

Tom Homan

The White House Border Czar who said the administration was actively working on a plan to integrate ICE agents into airports.

Sean Duffy

The US Transportation Secretary who said TSA officers, whose salaries start around $40,000 annually, can't live on $0 paychecks.

Kristi Noem

The former Department of Homeland Security Secretary who was removed from her position earlier this year.

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What they’re saying

“ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security. TSA officers spend months learning to detect explosives, weapons, and threats specifically designed to evade detection at checkpoints — skills that require specialized instruction, hands-on practice, and ongoing recertification.”

— Everett Kelley, President of American Federation of Government Employees

“You cannot improvise that. Putting untrained personnel at security checkpoints does not fill a gap. It creates one.”

— Everett Kelley, President of American Federation of Government Employees

“We'll have a plan by the end of today on what airports we're starting with and where we're sending them.”

— Tom Homan, White House Border Czar

“They're going to take other jobs to put food on the table and pay the rent. I do think it's going to get much worse, and as it gets worse, I think that puts pressure on Congress to come to a resolution.”

— Sean Duffy, US Transportation Secretary

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.