ICE Agents Deploy to 13 Major U.S. Airports to Ease TSA Staffing Shortages
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began assisting at security checkpoints in 13 major U.S. airports on March 23. The deployment addresses severe TSA officer absences during the partial government shutdown now in its sixth week. Travelers at affected hubs faced wait times stretching up to six hours.
The airports receiving ICE support include Chicago O’Hare, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, Houston Bush Intercontinental, Houston Hobby, Cleveland Hopkins, Louis Armstrong New Orleans, Luis Muñoz Marin in Puerto Rico, Phoenix Sky Harbor and additional sites. Officers operated in pre-security areas handling ID checks and crowd management while wearing tactical gear. TSA staff continued core screening where present.
Absence rates among TSA personnel exceeded 40 percent at several large airports including Atlanta and Houston. The Department of Homeland Security authorized the temporary reassignment to prevent further escalation of delays and potential checkpoint closures. Lines wrapped through terminals at Atlanta and New York facilities with passengers missing flights after extended waits.
The Trump administration described the move as a direct response to funding disputes affecting DHS operations. ICE agents supplemented basic functions without performing full screening due to clearance limitations. No incidents of overreach were immediately reported though travelers noted the visible shift in personnel.
Airport operators issued advisories urging passengers to arrive three to four hours early for domestic and international departures. Some smaller facilities not on the deployment list experienced minimal disruption. Officials warned that sustained high call-out rates could force temporary closures at vulnerable sites.
The action highlights coordination challenges between federal agencies amid budget impasses. Passenger volumes remained steady with many adjusting itineraries. Residual effects on flight schedules persisted into the following day across the Northeast and Southeast corridors.
United Airlines activated a 24-hour flexibility waiver for Houston passengers allowing rebooking without fees through March 31. Similar disruptions affected other listed airports. Travelers should check real-time TSA wait time apps and airline alerts before heading to affected facilities.
The deployment provides short-term relief while broader funding negotiations continue in Congress. No timeline has been set for the ICE assistance to end. Passengers planning travel through the listed hubs should monitor updates closely as conditions evolve.
