Starting Monday, ICE agents are being sent to airports nationwide to assist with security operations as the Department of Homeland Security remains without full funding. The move comes as TSA officers continue working without pay, resulting in long lines and delays for passengers at major airports.
The administration says the deployment is designed to help reduce congestion and keep security checkpoints operational. While ICE agents are primarily focused on supporting TSA staff with crowd management and line control, President Donald Trump has indicated that agents will retain the ability to make arrests if necessary, describing airports as “fertile territory” for detaining undocumented immigrants. Federal officials have not released a complete list of airports receiving additional personnel or the total number of agents being deployed.
At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, city officials confirmed that Homeland Security Investigations and ICE enforcement personnel will assist with crowd control inside domestic terminals but are not intended to conduct immigration enforcement. Despite reassurances from federal authorities, Trump has suggested that the National Guard could be called in if conditions at airports do not improve.
Democratic leaders have raised concerns about the plan, noting that ICE agents generally lack training in airport screening procedures. Critics argue that placing untrained personnel in high-security environments could pose safety risks and further complicate operations during the funding lapse.
The White House describes the ICE deployment as a temporary measure while lawmakers work toward a funding agreement to restore TSA salaries. Transportation officials emphasize that ICE agents have experience with security systems at the border and can assist with operational support, but they are not replacing TSA officers.
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