Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were deployed to several major U.S. airports as a partial government shutdown triggered staffing shortages among Transportation Security Administration officers, according to CBS News.
The report said more than 11.5 percent of TSA staff called out of work after missing paychecks, leading to long security lines nationwide.
WATCH: ICE agents have been spotted at the Atlanta Airport to help TSA workers.pic.twitter.com/3rYtIwvU6O
— Resist the Mainstream (@ResisttheMS) March 23, 2026
ICE agents were seen at airports including Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson, New York’s JFK, and Chicago’s O’Hare. Travelers reported wait times of up to six hours, with some missing flights despite arriving early. According to CBS News, airport staff distributed water to manage crowds.
President Donald Trump said the move was intended to ease delays. However, critics argue ICE agents lack the specialised training required for airport screening.
Union leader Everett Kelly warned that replacing TSA officers with “untrained” personnel could pose risks. The report added that the crisis stems from stalled funding negotiations for the Department of Homeland Security.
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TIPP Staff
