Trump Threatens to Deploy ICE Agents to Airports

President says he'll send immigration officers to conduct security if Democrats don't accept GOP funding plan for DHS

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:20am

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President Trump has threatened to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to work airport security checkpoints as soon as Monday if congressional Democrats do not accept a Republican funding plan for the Department of Homeland Security. Trump said the ICE agents would conduct security "like no one has ever seen before," including immediately detaining people in the country illegally, with a stated focus on immigrants from Somalia.

Why it matters

This would represent a significant change in the way airport security is handled, as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers normally manage checkpoints, while some Border Patrol agents assist at certain airports along the southern border. The move appears to be a political tactic by Trump to pressure Democrats in the ongoing funding clash over DHS.

The details

In posts on Truth Social, Trump said ICE officers would conduct security "like no one has ever seen before," including immediately detaining people in the country illegally, with a stated focus on immigrants from Somalia. Many TSA agents are currently off the job while their pay is held up by a congressional impasse on restrictions for immigration enforcement. Trump has urged them to work anyway.

  • On Saturday, Trump threatened to send ICE agents to airports as soon as Monday.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who is threatening to deploy ICE agents to airports.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Majority Leader who urged Republicans to support a Democratic measure that would fund TSA separately from DHS.

John Sandweg

A former ICE official during the Obama administration who said the proposed ICE deployment seems designed to achieve political goals rather than focus on public safety.

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What they’re saying

“The operations, to me, don't seem to be designed to focus on public safety.”

— John Sandweg, Former ICE official

“GET READY”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

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.