ICE Agents Deployed to US Airports Amid Government Shutdown

Controversial move aims to assist unpaid TSA officers, but raises concerns about contradictory missions

Mar. 23, 2026 at 3:21am by Ben Kaplan

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Officers from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency are expected to deploy to some U.S. airports starting Monday to assist unpaid Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers during the ongoing partial government shutdown. The move is intended to act as a "force multiplier" by having ICE agents handle basic tasks like ID checks, but it has raised concerns from flight attendant unions about potential conflicts between immigration enforcement and airport security.

Why it matters

The deployment of ICE agents to airports is a controversial move that highlights the broader political tensions and gridlock in Washington over immigration policy and government funding. It also raises questions about whether having ICE agents focused on tasks outside their core mission could undermine airport security at a time when the TSA is already strained by the shutdown.

The details

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said he was told the ICE agents would be at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to "support operational needs" but not enforce immigration law. Former ICE director Tom Homan said the agents would handle basic tasks to free up TSA officers to focus on specialized screening duties. However, flight attendant unions have voiced concerns that the "contradictory missions" could distract ICE agents from airport security.

  • ICE agents are expected to deploy to some U.S. airports starting Monday, March 25, 2026.

The players

Andre Dickens

The Democratic mayor of Atlanta, who said ICE agents would be deployed to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Tom Homan

The former director of ICE, who said the agents would act as a "force multiplier" by handling basic tasks to free up TSA officers.

Adam Smith

A Democratic U.S. Representative from Washington, who criticized President Trump's approach of "escalate, conflict, coercion" in political negotiations.

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What they’re saying

“I don't see an ICE agent looking at an X-ray machine, because we're not trained in that.”

— Tom Homan, Former ICE Director

“This is who President Trump is: Escalate, conflict, coercion, no agreement. The American people are not benefiting from that.”

— Adam Smith, U.S. Representative

“I don't feel like it's in the best interest in everyone to put everyone in positions or careers or fields that they're not experienced in. It would most definitely intimidate and scare people.”

— Consuelo Ortez

“It would help us to have more people to help this mess. It's not safe to fly.”

— Lori Mattia

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The deployment of ICE agents to airports during the government shutdown highlights the broader political tensions and gridlock in Washington, as well as concerns about whether having agents focused on tasks outside their core mission could undermine airport security at a time when the TSA is already strained.