Democrat Senator Reveals Party's Push for Amnesty Amid Airport Delays

Peter Welch admits Democrats are holding TSA funding hostage to force immigration reform

Mar. 23, 2026 at 5:49am

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In the midst of long airport delays caused by a funding standoff between Democrats and Republicans over the Department of Homeland Security, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) has revealed that his party's real goal is to secure some form of amnesty for illegal immigrants. Welch stated that if the rest of the government could be opened up, it would allow for "a sensible discussion about a reasonable immigration plan" to "deal with some folks who don't have legal status."

Why it matters

This situation highlights the political tensions over immigration policy, with Democrats seemingly willing to cause disruption and hardship for air travelers in order to advance their agenda of legalizing undocumented immigrants. The debate over immigration reform has long been a divisive issue, and the current standoff suggests the parties remain far apart on a path forward.

The details

The funding standoff between Democrats and Republicans over the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the TSA, has led to long lines and delays at some airports as many TSA agents have stopped showing up for work without pay. Senator Welch acknowledged that Democrats are using this leverage to push for some form of amnesty or legalization for illegal immigrants, stating that resolving the immigration issue could allow the rest of the government to be reopened.

  • The funding standoff and airport delays have been ongoing for five weeks as of March 22, 2026.
  • Senator Welch made his comments on Sunday, March 22, 2026.

The players

Peter Welch

A Democratic senator from Vermont who has revealed his party's strategy of using the TSA funding standoff to push for immigration reform and some form of amnesty for illegal immigrants.

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that includes the TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard, which is at the center of the funding standoff between Democrats and Republicans.

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What they’re saying

“If we were able to open up the rest of the government and focus on the ICE issue, it may allow us then to have, I think, a discussion.”

— Peter Welch, Senator

“It's ripe for us to have a sensible discussion about a reasonable immigration plan in a reasonable way, to deal with some folks who don't have legal status.”

— Peter Welch, Senator

What’s next

Republicans will need to decide whether to compromise with Democrats on immigration reform in order to resolve the funding standoff and reopen the government, or continue to stand firm against amnesty proposals.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the ongoing political divide over immigration policy, with Democrats seemingly willing to cause disruption and hardship for air travelers in order to advance their agenda of legalizing undocumented immigrants. The debate over a path forward on immigration reform remains a divisive and contentious issue.