Immigration Officers Deployed to US Airports Amid Shutdown

Concerns raised over potential escalation of tensions with travelers and TSA screeners

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:19am

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President Trump has ordered federal immigration agents to assist the Transportation Security Administration at U.S. airports during the ongoing government shutdown, drawing concerns that their presence may escalate tensions among frustrated air travelers and angry TSA screeners who have been working without pay.

Why it matters

The deployment of immigration officers to airports raises concerns about potential conflicts with travelers and TSA staff, at a time when the government shutdown has already caused long security lines and disruptions at major airports across the country.

The details

Trump said the immigration officers, led by White House border czar Tom Homan, would help with tasks like guarding exit lanes and checking passenger IDs, freeing up TSA agents to focus on screening lines. However, the specific duties and number of ICE officers to be deployed are still being discussed with TSA and ICE leadership. Democrats have criticized the plan, with one senator calling it a 'bad idea' that could worsen tensions.

  • The deployment of immigration officers to airports is set to begin on Monday, March 25, 2026.
  • The partial government shutdown that has impacted DHS funding and TSA staffing has been ongoing since last month.

The players

President Donald Trump

The U.S. president who ordered the deployment of immigration officers to airports during the government shutdown.

Tom Homan

The White House border czar named by Trump to lead the new airport security effort.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski

A Republican senator from Alaska who criticized the plan to deploy immigration officers to airports.

Everett Kelley

The president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents over 50,000 TSA employees.

Andre Dickens

The mayor of Atlanta, who issued a statement about the deployment of ICE and Homeland Security Investigations officers to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

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What they’re saying

“What we need to do is, we need to get the DHS issues resolved, we need to get the TSA agents paid. Do you really want to have even additional tensions on top of what we are already facing?”

— Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Republican senator from Alaska

“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 Kelley, President of the American Federation of Government Employees

“Federal officials have indicated that this deployment is not intended to conduct immigration enforcement activities.”

— Andre Dickens, Mayor of Atlanta

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 immigration officers to airports during the government shutdown raises concerns about potential conflicts with frustrated travelers and TSA staff, at a time when the shutdown has already caused major disruptions at airports across the country. This highlights the broader challenges of resolving the budget impasse and its impacts on federal agencies and the public.