Travelers Confront Unmasked ICE Agents at Airports

Protesters accuse immigration officers of being "Nazis" as they assist TSA amid staffing shortages.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 8:37am

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A video shows a woman shouting at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel at Newark International Liberty Airport, saying "Nazis don't belong in America and they don't belong in airports." The confrontation comes after the Trump administration sent hundreds of ICE agents to airports nationwide to help manage operational strain linked to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortages due to a partial Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.

Why it matters

The deployment of ICE agents to airports has drawn criticism, as the officers are primarily trained for immigration enforcement rather than aviation security. This has led to confrontations between the agents and travelers who object to their presence, raising concerns about the appropriate role of immigration enforcement in airport operations.

The details

Federal immigration agents assisting security operations at major U.S. airports have been confronted by travelers, including some who accused them of being "Nazis." The disruption stems from a partial Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown that began on February 14, leaving tens of thousands of TSA officers working without pay and contributing to widespread callouts and resignations, worsening delays at airports across the country.

  • The DHS shutdown began on February 14, 2026.
  • Since the shutdown, around 400 TSA officers have left the force.

The players

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

A federal law enforcement agency that is part of the Department of Homeland Security, responsible for enforcing immigration laws in the United States.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

A federal agency responsible for security in the transportation system, including airports, that is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

A federal executive department responsible for public security, including immigration enforcement and aviation security, that oversees agencies like ICE and TSA.

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What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security has not yet commented on the confrontations between ICE agents and travelers at airports.

The takeaway

The deployment of ICE agents to assist with airport operations during the TSA staffing shortage has raised concerns about the appropriate role of immigration enforcement in aviation security and led to confrontations with travelers who object to their presence.