ICE Agents Deployed To Airports Amid Record TSA Call-Outs
ICE agents will be sent to assist TSA as TSA data show over 3,250 officers called out on March 21 and airports faced multi-hour security waits.
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Overview
White House border czar Tom Homan said Sunday that ICE agents will deploy to airports on Monday to help ease security lines.
TSA data showed over 3,250 officers called out Saturday, March 21, accounting for 11.51% of the scheduled workforce and contributing to hours-long checkpoint waits.
AFGE president Everett Kelley said ICE agents are not trained in aviation security and called for Congress to pay TSA workers rather than replace them, according to union statements.
Saturday's highest call-out rates included William P. Hobby in Houston at 47.4%, George Bush Intercontinental at 42.4%, Louis Armstrong New Orleans at 34.1%, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta at 33.6%, and JFK at 33.4%, per TSA data.
Multiple sources said ICE agents are expected at 14 airports initially, while lawmakers remain deadlocked over DHS funding and the Senate rejected a motion Saturday to take up funding legislation.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this story neutrally: they juxtapose administration claims that ICE will free up TSA agents with union and Democratic objections, provide shutdown context (unpaid TSA staff, absences) and attribute strong language to quoted sources rather than endorsing it, while omitting few technical security-expert perspectives.
FAQ
ICE agents are being deployed to assist TSA with security checkpoints amid long lines caused by high TSA officer call-outs and staff shortages during a partial government shutdown over DHS funding disputes.
TSA data showed over 3,250 officers called out on March 21, or 11.51% of the scheduled workforce, with highest rates at William P. Hobby (47.4%), George Bush Intercontinental (42.4%), Louis Armstrong New Orleans (34.1%), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (33.6%), and JFK (33.4%).[1]
Multiple sources indicate ICE agents are expected at 14 airports initially, though specific airports are not detailed in available reports.[1]
AFGE president Everett Kelley stated ICE agents lack aviation security training and urged Congress to fund TSA workers instead; Democrats like Chuck Schumer warned it could worsen chaos as ICE agents are untrained for airport security.
The partial shutdown, ongoing for over 36 days since February 14, stems from a congressional standoff over DHS and ICE funding, leading to TSA unpaid work, resignations (at least 376), and spring break travel disruptions.[1]
