ICE Agents Sent to 14 Airports to Assist TSA Amid Shutdown

The agents are there to help with security screening, but lack the proper training, experts say.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 2:55am

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As the partial government shutdown drains airport security staffing, the White House has dispatched between 100 and 150 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to 14 major U.S. airports to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). While the agents are there to help alleviate long security lines, experts warn that they are not properly trained for most TSA duties like operating X-rays, conducting bag checks, and performing pat-downs.

Why it matters

The move to send ICE agents to airports has raised concerns, with critics arguing that the agents lack the necessary expertise and training to effectively supplement the TSA workforce. This could potentially create more problems and delays for air travelers already facing extraordinary wait times due to the government shutdown.

The details

ICE agents have been spotted at security checkpoints and patrolling terminals in major airports like Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, O'Hare in Chicago, and Newark Liberty. While the agents are expected to help with screening, they are not trained in airport security like TSA agents, who undergo lengthy classroom instruction and on-the-job training. A former TSA security chief said "there is just zero chance for them to be operating X-rays, conducting bag checks and pat-downs."

  • On Monday, March 24, 2026, between 100 and 150 ICE agents were sent to 14 major U.S. airports.
  • The partial government shutdown began in mid-February 2026.

The players

Tom Homan

White House border chief who said the ICE agents are there to "help Americans transit those lines."

Keith Jeffries

Former head of TSA security at Los Angeles International Airport, who said the ICE agents lack the proper training for most TSA duties.

Chuck Schumer

Senate Minority Leader who called the move a "terrible idea" that could backfire.

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What they’re saying

“These agents aren't familiar with the layout of the airports they're walking into. They don't know the protocols and procedures in the same way TSA workers do.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader

“There is just zero chance for them to be operating X-rays, conducting bag checks and pat-downs.”

— Keith Jeffries, Former head of TSA security at Los Angeles International Airport

The takeaway

The decision to send ICE agents to airports highlights the challenges the government shutdown is creating for airport security, as the TSA workforce is stretched thin. While the agents may be able to assist in some ways, their lack of specialized training could end up causing more problems and delays for air travelers.