Trump Threatens to Deploy ICE Agents to Airports During Shutdown

Critics warn that untrained ICE agents could create chaos and compromise airport security

Mar. 23, 2026 at 11:27pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

President Trump has threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports as the government shutdown drags on, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from union leaders and Democratic lawmakers. Critics argue that ICE agents are not trained in aviation security and their presence could create chaos and compromise the safety of air travelers.

Why it matters

The deployment of ICE agents to airports during the government shutdown raises concerns about airport security and the potential for abuse of power. It also highlights the ongoing political tensions between the Trump administration and Democrats over immigration enforcement.

The details

Trump announced that ICE agents would be sent to airports on Monday to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with security screening and other duties. However, union leaders and Democratic lawmakers have strongly opposed the plan, arguing that ICE agents lack the specialized training required for airport security. They warn that the presence of untrained ICE agents could create chaos and compromise the safety of air travelers.

  • The government shutdown has been ongoing since late 2018.
  • Trump announced the plan to deploy ICE agents to airports on Saturday.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who announced the plan to deploy ICE agents to airports.

Everett Kelley

The president of the American Federation of Government Employees, who criticized the plan and argued that ICE agents are not trained in aviation security.

Hakeem Jeffries

The House Democratic Leader, who criticized Republicans for forcing TSA agents to work without pay and potentially exposing air travelers to untrained ICE agents.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security. TSA officers spend months learning to detect explosives, weapons, and threats specifically designed to evade detection at checkpoints—skills that require specialized instruction, hands-on practice, and ongoing recertification. You cannot improvise that.”

— Everett Kelley, President, American Federation of Government Employees

“It's unfortunate that Republicans have decided that they would rather force TSA agents to work without pay, inconvenience millions of Americans all across the country and now potentially expose them to untrained ICE agents and create chaos at airports throughout the land rather than get ICE agents under control.”

— Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Leader

What’s next

The deployment of ICE agents to airports is expected to begin on Monday, and it remains to be seen how it will impact airport operations and security. Democrats have proposed funding TSA and other DHS agencies, excluding ICE and Customs and Border Protection, in an effort to end the impasse.

The takeaway

The plan to deploy untrained ICE agents to airports during the government shutdown raises serious concerns about airport security and the potential for abuse of power. It highlights the ongoing political tensions between the Trump administration and Democrats over immigration enforcement and the impact of the shutdown on federal agencies and the public.