Trump Threatens to Deploy ICE Agents to Airports Amid Shutdown

President says ICE will take over airport security if Democrats don't end government shutdown

Mar. 21, 2026 at 11:06pm

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President Donald Trump has threatened to order federal immigration officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take on airport security roles starting Monday, unless Democrats agree to a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Trump's announcement comes as the partial government shutdown contributes to long lines at some of the nation's largest airports due to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing issues.

Why it matters

This move by Trump represents an escalation of the administration's immigration enforcement efforts, bringing ICE agents into a new domain typically handled by the TSA. It also highlights the political tensions surrounding the ongoing government shutdown, which has left many federal workers, including TSA employees, without pay.

The details

In a series of social media posts, Trump said he would order ICE agents to work in airports if Democrats do not agree to a bill funding the Department of Homeland Security. The president claimed ICE is 'ready to go' and threatened to have them 'arrest all Illegal Immigrants.' Trump also singled out Somali immigrants, repeating his criticism of the Somali community in Minnesota.

  • Trump made the announcement on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
  • The president said ICE agents would be deployed to airports starting on Monday, March 23, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

A federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that enforces immigration laws.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

A federal agency responsible for security in the nation's transportation systems, including airports.

Chuck Schumer

The Democratic Senate Minority Leader from New York.

John Thune

The Republican Senate Majority Whip from South Dakota.

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What they’re saying

“ICE is ready to go on Monday”

— Donald Trump

“If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before”

— Donald Trump

“If that group that's meeting can't come up with a solution really quickly, things are going to get worse and worse”

— John Thune, Republican Senate Majority Whip

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 move by President Trump to deploy ICE agents to airports represents an escalation of the administration's immigration enforcement efforts and highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding the government shutdown, which has left many federal workers without pay and contributed to long lines at airports.