ICE Agents Deployed to Airports Amid Shutdown Standoff

Trump administration sends immigration officers to aid TSA amid funding dispute with Democrats

Mar. 23, 2026 at 5:26am

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The Trump administration has confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be deployed to U.S. airports starting Monday, despite opposition from unions and Democrats. The move is intended to help alleviate long lines and congestion at airports due to a shortage of TSA staff caused by the partial government shutdown over Department of Homeland Security funding.

Why it matters

The deployment of ICE agents to airports has raised concerns about whether they will be used for immigration enforcement in addition to assisting with security lines. Democrats have accused the Trump administration of using the agents to "strike fear and terror" on travelers, while the administration says the agents will focus on line management and crowd control to aid the understaffed TSA.

The details

ICE Acting Director Tom Homan said the agents will not be inspecting bags or passengers, but will be assigned to tasks like line management to help move travelers through security more quickly. However, Homan did confirm the agents will also conduct immigration enforcement at the airports. The deployment will begin with the airports most affected by the shutdown, like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

  • ICE agents will be deployed to U.S. airports starting Monday, March 24, 2026.

The players

Tom Homan

President Donald Trump's border czar and former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Todd Lyons

Acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Ha Nguyen McNeill

Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Chuck Schumer

Senate Minority Leader.

JD Vance

Vice President of the United States.

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What they’re saying

“We will have a plan by the end of today ... what airports we're staring with and where we're sending them.”

— Tom Homan, President Donald Trump's border czar

“Instead of sending ICE agents to harass travelers at airports, why don't Republicans get their act together and agree to pay TSA workers like we've asked them to SEVEN TIMES now?”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader

“Thankfully, ICE will bring sanity to our airports starting tomorrow, but it's far past time for Democrats to fund DHS.”

— JD Vance, Vice President

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 deployment of ICE agents to airports highlights the ongoing political tensions over immigration enforcement and the impact of the government shutdown on airport security. It raises concerns about the potential for immigration enforcement at travel hubs, as well as questions about whether ICE agents have the proper training and expertise to assist the TSA.