Security Lines Improve at BWI-Marshall After ICE Deployment

Airport officials say TSA checkpoint operations have returned to more routine levels after long wait times the previous day.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 10:05pm

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Security lines at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport moved more smoothly on Sunday, a day after wait times of up to five hours were reported. This improvement came after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel were deployed to the airport on Saturday to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with security checkpoint operations.

Why it matters

The long security lines and wait times at BWI-Marshall on Saturday caused significant frustration among travelers, with some missing flights or having to rebook. The deployment of ICE agents to support TSA operations was an unusual move aimed at alleviating the backlog, highlighting the challenges airports can face in managing surges in passenger volume.

The details

On Saturday, travelers at BWI-Marshall faced security lines that looped inside and outside the airport, with the sidewalk at times four lines deep. Some reported waiting up to five hours to get through security checkpoints. In response, the Maryland Aviation Administration said ICE informed the state that additional Department of Homeland Security personnel, including Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), would be deployed to the airport starting Saturday afternoon to assist TSA. The ICE personnel were tasked with providing operational support to speed up the clearance process for passengers, while the primary aviation security functions remained with TSA.

  • On Saturday, long security lines and wait times of up to five hours were reported at BWI-Marshall.
  • On Sunday, airport officials said security checkpoint operations had returned to more routine levels.

The players

Maryland Aviation Administration

The state agency that oversees operations at BWI-Marshall Airport.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

A federal law enforcement agency that was deployed to BWI-Marshall to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with security checkpoint operations.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency responsible for passenger and baggage screening at airports, who maintained primary aviation security functions at BWI-Marshall.

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What they’re saying

“I see ICE running around here, and I thank them for being here and I thank the TSA workers that are here. Other than that, this is not a happy place.”

— Mary Stark, Traveler

“I can't believe this is really happening. Why didn't you sign to pay the TSA workers? Why are you putting your country in harm's way?”

— Catherine Cain, Traveler

“It's just a real shame that the average middle-class American has to go through this. I never thought I would see it in my lifetime. It's an absolute travesty.”

— Dave McCarthy, Traveler

The takeaway

The deployment of ICE agents to assist TSA at BWI-Marshall highlights the challenges airports can face in managing surges in passenger volume and the need for coordinated efforts between federal agencies to ensure efficient and smooth security screening processes for travelers.