Immigration Officers Deployed to U.S. Airports Amid Shutdown

Agents to assist TSA as budget impasse frustrates travelers and screeners

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:52pm

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Federal immigration agents have been newly ordered by President Donald Trump to U.S. airports to help relieve security line congestion, as a budget impasse has air travelers frustrated over hourslong waits and screeners angry about missed paychecks. The agents may guard exit lanes or check passenger IDs as the partial government shutdown continues.

Why it matters

The deployment of immigration officers to airports is an unusual move that highlights the growing tensions and impacts of the ongoing government shutdown. It reflects the Trump administration's willingness to use federal resources in unorthodox ways to address the shutdown's disruptions, even as Democrats resist the president's demands for border wall funding.

The details

Hundreds of thousands of homeland security workers, including from the TSA, U.S. Secret Service and Coast Guard, have worked without pay since Congress failed to renew DHS funding last month. White House border czar Tom Homan has been meeting with a bipartisan group of senators in recent days, but they have not yet reached a full agreement to end the partial shutdown.

  • The deployment of immigration officers to airports began on Monday, March 25, 2026.

The players

President Donald Trump

The President of the United States who ordered the deployment of immigration officers to U.S. airports.

Tom Homan

The White House border czar who has been leading the effort to address the government shutdown.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

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

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.