ICE Agents Deployed to Airports as TSA Staffing Shortages Grow

Union warns untrained ICE agents will create more problems than they solve at security checkpoints.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 10:05pm

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The Trump administration is sending Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports across the country starting Monday, despite concerns from the union representing Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers. The move comes as TSA staffing shortages have led to long security lines at airports, with a third of TSA agents at some of the busiest airports calling out of work on Saturday. The TSA union says ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security and will create more problems than they solve.

Why it matters

The deployment of ICE agents to airports raises concerns about the ability to maintain airport security and the safety of travelers. It also highlights the ongoing political tensions between the Trump administration and Democrats over immigration enforcement and funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

The details

Starting Monday, the Trump administration will be sending ICE agents to airports across the country, according to border czar Tom Homan. This comes as funding for both ICE and the TSA's parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, has lapsed due to a standoff between the Trump administration and Democrats over immigration rules. The TSA union says ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security and their presence will create more problems than they solve. There is also inconsistency from administration officials on what exactly the ICE agents will be doing, with Homan saying they will have 'non-significant roles' while Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy claims they have adequate security training.

  • On Monday, ICE agents will be deployed to airports across the country.
  • On Saturday, a third of TSA agents at some of the busiest airports called out of work.

The players

Tom Homan

Trump's border czar who announced the deployment of ICE agents to airports.

Everett Kelly

The national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, the union representing TSA officers.

Hakeem Jeffries

House Democratic Leader who has suggested funding TSA and other DHS agencies separately from ICE and Customs and Border Protection.

John Fetterman

Democratic Senator who voted against the bill to separate ICE and CBP funding from a DHS funding bill.

Ted Cruz

Republican Senator who has recently begun to support the idea of separating ICE and CBP funding from a DHS funding bill.

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What they’re saying

“ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security. Putting untrained personnel at security checkpoints does not fill a gap. It creates one.”

— Everett Kelly, National President, American Federation of Government Employees

“Our members at TSA have been showing up every day, without a paycheck, because they believe in the mission of keeping the flying public safe. They deserve to be paid, not replaced by untrained, armed agents who have shown how dangerous they can be.”

— Everett Kelly, National President, American Federation of Government Employees

What’s next

The judge overseeing the case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow the ICE agents to be deployed to airports.

The takeaway

The deployment of ICE agents to airports highlights the ongoing political tensions over immigration enforcement and the need to maintain airport security and safety for travelers. It also raises questions about the qualifications of ICE agents to perform aviation security duties and the impact their presence could have on TSA operations.