Trump Deploys ICE Agents to Airports Amid Shutdown

Border Czar Homan says ICE can help TSA by guarding exits and checking IDs

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:58pm

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President Trump has ordered federal immigration agents to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at U.S. airports, as a budget impasse has led to long security lines and unpaid TSA workers. White House border czar Tom Homan said ICE agents could guard airport exits and check passenger IDs to help alleviate the backlog, though he noted they would not be operating X-ray machines. Democrats have criticized the move, with House leader Hakeem Jeffries saying the "last thing" Americans need is "untrained ICE agents" at airports.

Why it matters

The deployment of ICE agents to airports is the latest move in the ongoing political standoff over border security and immigration enforcement. It highlights the tensions between the Trump administration's hardline immigration policies and Democrats' concerns about the conduct of federal immigration agents. The situation also underscores the impact of the partial government shutdown on air travel, with TSA workers going unpaid and long security lines frustrating passengers.

The details

Homan said ICE agents could cover exit lanes currently monitored by TSA agents, freeing them up to work the screening lines. ICE agents could also check passenger IDs before they enter the screening areas. Homan pledged to have a plan by the end of the day on Monday for which airports would receive the additional ICE support. The priority, he said, would be the busiest airports with the longest wait times, potentially up to 3 hours.

  • On Sunday, President Trump said ICE agents would be deployed to airports starting on Monday.
  • The Senate was expected to advance the nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to be Trump's next homeland security secretary, with a confirmation vote possible as early as late Monday.

The players

Tom Homan

White House border czar named by President Trump to lead the effort to deploy ICE agents to airports.

Hakeem Jeffries

House Democratic leader who criticized the plan to send "untrained ICE agents" to airports.

Sean Duffy

Transportation Secretary who expressed concern about the uncertainty passengers are facing over possible wait times at airports.

Kristi Noem

President Trump's first Homeland Security secretary, whose tenure was described as "tumultuous".

Markwayne Mullin

Republican senator from Oklahoma who has been nominated by Trump to be the next Homeland Security secretary.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to be a force multiplier.”

— Tom Homan, White House border czar

“The last thing that the American people need are for untrained ICE agents to be deployed at airports all across the country.”

— Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader

“Do I have to come an hour and a half early? Do I have to come four hours early? They don't know until the day of or the afternoon of their flight. So if we can alleviate that, again, the president wants to take away that leverage point for Democrats and make travel easier for the American people.”

— Sean Duffy, Transportation Secretary

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.