Trump Proposes Sending ICE Agents to Airports to Address TSA Staffing Shortages

President Trump says he may deploy ICE agents to airports to address TSA staffing shortages caused by the ongoing DHS shutdown, but experts warn ICE agents lack TSA training.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:33am

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The ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown is causing major Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortages, leading to long airport security lines as workers miss paychecks and call out or quit. President Trump has proposed sending Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports to address the shortages if a funding deal isn't reached, but Democrats oppose additional DHS funding without ICE reforms, and experts warn ICE agents lack TSA training and could worsen airport operations.

Why it matters

The staffing shortages at airports due to the DHS shutdown are causing major disruptions and delays for travelers, and the president's proposal to send in ICE agents raises concerns about the agents' lack of proper training and the potential for further complications in airport operations.

The details

President Trump has said he may deploy ICE agents to airports on Monday to address the TSA staffing shortages caused by the ongoing DHS shutdown. TSA workers are set to miss a second full paycheck next Friday as the partial government shutdown drags on, leading more workers to call out or quit and causing big delays at security checkpoints at airports, including O'Hare Airport. Democrats have said they will not agree to more funding for DHS unless there are reforms to ICE, and experts warn that ICE agents lack the proper training and expertise in screening and detection practices used by TSA workers.

  • On Saturday, President Trump posted on Truth Social about sending in ICE agents.
  • TSA workers are set to miss a second full paycheck next Friday.

The players

President Trump

The President of the United States who has proposed sending ICE agents to airports to address TSA staffing shortages caused by the DHS shutdown.

Democrats

The political party that opposes additional DHS funding without reforms to ICE.

Joe Schwedeman

A travel expert from DePaul University who says sending ICE agents to airports is not a good idea because they lack the proper training and expertise of TSA workers.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— President Trump

“On one hand, the public is pleased the president is sitting still doing nothing, and as these lines get longer, and I think it's going to be a tough week at some of the airports. But to come out in a provocative way like this, to use ICE and talk about mixing that with immigration enforcement, just turbocharges our air traffic system at a time where we need efficiency and accountability, and I'm not sure we're going to get that with this.”

— Joe Schwedeman, Travel Expert, DePaul University

What’s next

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The takeaway

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