Travelers Face Lengthy TSA Lines at New York Airports

Shortage of checkpoint workers creates hours-long waits, raising concerns about ICE agents potentially assisting with security screenings.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:39pm

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The national shortage of Transportation Security Administration workers led to lengthy lines and frustration for travelers at New York City airports, especially at LaGuardia Airport where passengers waited at least three hours to go through security. The prospect of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents being deployed to help with airport security screenings has also raised concerns among some travelers.

Why it matters

The TSA staffing crisis at major airports like those in New York City highlights the broader challenges facing the nation's air travel infrastructure, which has struggled to keep up with growing passenger volumes. The potential involvement of ICE agents, who are not trained for airport security duties, has also sparked worries about how their presence could impact the screening process and overall traveler experience.

The details

At LaGuardia Airport's Terminal B, the line for TSA checkpoints stretched through the building, with passengers waiting at least three hours to clear security. Travelers at both LaGuardia and JFK Airport expressed uncertainty and apprehension about President Trump's plan to send ICE agents to assist with airport security, with some fearing it could make the situation even worse.

  • On Sunday afternoon, the lines at LaGuardia Airport were extremely long.
  • President Trump announced on Saturday that ICE agents would be sent to airports starting on Monday to help with security.

The players

Stephanie Kisgen

A 44-year-old interior designer from Richmond Hill, Georgia who arrived at the airport four hours early for her flight but was unsure if she would make it in time.

Jill Anderson

A 49-year-old IT director from Chicago who arrived four hours early with her daughter to tour Fordham and Pace universities.

Diana Greene-Chandon

A 55-year-old neurologist from St. Louis who was flying home after visiting her daughter in graduate school at NYU.

Addison Freeman

A 33-year-old musician from Austin, Texas who was dubious about the plan to use ICE agents for airport security.

Harry Rondos

A 49-year-old waiter from Manhattan who was seeing his 84-year-old father Nestor Rondos off for a flight back to his native Corfu, Greece.

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What they’re saying

“I'm expecting the worst.”

— Stephanie Kisgen

“The whole thing's his fault. I mean, if he were a decent human being, we wouldn't be in this situation to begin with. And I don't know, I don't trust ICE agents are trained for this.”

— Jill Anderson

“Having ICE agents perform T.S.A. jobs makes me nervous because they're not trained to do the job.”

— Addison Freeman, musician

“I think anything is better than this.”

— Patrick Kisgen

“We're a Third World country now. We're supposed to be the richest country in the world, and we have the worst experience.”

— Harry Rondos, waiter

What’s next

It remains to be seen whether ICE agents will actually be deployed to assist with airport security screenings starting on Monday as announced by President Trump. The effectiveness and impact of such a move will be closely watched by travelers and airport officials.

The takeaway

The staffing shortages and long lines at major New York airports underscore the broader challenges facing the nation's air travel infrastructure, which has struggled to keep up with growing passenger volumes. The potential involvement of ICE agents, who lack the proper training for airport security duties, has also raised concerns about how their presence could further disrupt the screening process and overall traveler experience.