Trump Threatens to Send ICE to Airports Amid TSA Security Woes

President warns of using immigration agents for airport security if Democrats don't fund Homeland Security

Mar. 21, 2026 at 6:36pm

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President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to airports unless congressional Democrats agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security. The move comes as the ongoing government shutdown strains Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing, leading to longer security lines at major airports like Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson. Many passengers are arriving hours early for flights due to the delays caused by the shutdown.

Why it matters

The threat to use ICE agents for airport security raises concerns about the politicization of federal agencies and the potential impact on travelers. The shutdown's effects on TSA staffing also highlight the broader disruptions to government services and infrastructure when political gridlock leads to funding lapses.

The details

In a social media post, Trump said Democrats must immediately reach a deal to fund Homeland Security or he 'will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before.' It's unclear if there are concrete plans to deploy ICE officers to airports. The shutdown has led to staffing shortages at TSA checkpoints, with some airports having to close screening lanes due to a lack of personnel. Wait times at Atlanta's airport spiked to 90 minutes early Saturday before dropping to a more manageable 25 minutes by midmorning.

  • The U.S. Department of Homeland Security partly shut down on February 14.
  • On Saturday, President Trump made the threat to send ICE agents to airports.

The players

Donald Trump

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

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Democratic leader who said he would offer an alternative measure to fund just the TSA.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

One of the world's busiest airports, which has experienced longer security lines and checkpoint closures due to the shutdown.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency responsible for airport security screening, which has faced staffing shortages during the shutdown as its employees work without pay.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal immigration enforcement agency that President Trump threatened to deploy to airports.

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What they’re saying

“Issue No. 1 should be paying the people who need to get paid and keeping our air travel system secure. Then they can debate whatever they want to debate about homeland security.”

— Christian Childress, Private flight attendant

“We need to thank the people that are here.”

— Jackie Donahue, Nurse

“I don't want to go between the Democrats and the Republicans, but I think the Democrats are holding everything up because they can't get their way.”

— Tyrone Williams, Retiree

What’s next

It remains to be seen if President Trump will follow through on his threat to deploy ICE agents to airports. Congressional leaders from both parties will continue negotiating to end the partial government shutdown and restore full funding for the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA.

The takeaway

The ongoing political standoff over border security and immigration enforcement is now spilling over into the operations of the nation's airports, potentially compromising the safety and efficiency of air travel for millions of passengers. This situation underscores the need for lawmakers to put partisan differences aside and work together to keep critical government services and infrastructure functioning for the American people.