President Donald Trump and Tom Homan, the official in charge of border policy, announced that the government would deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel to airports nationwide starting 23/3 to assist with security screening.

This decision comes amidst severe, prolonged queues at US airports due to a shortage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff. The deficit stems from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) not yet receiving congressional approval for its operating budget, leading a segment of its staff to work without pay since 14/2.

President Trump stated that Homan would directly oversee the plan. On Truth Social, the US President clarified that ICE personnel would serve solely as support for TSA officers.

An ICE officer and police outside a detention facility in Chicago in 11/2025. Photo: AP

Meanwhile, Homan told CNN on 22/3 that the specific duties of ICE agents were still being finalized. This force could manage entry and exit points and prevent passengers from entering incorrect lanes, thereby freeing up TSA personnel to focus on security screening.

"There are tasks TSA is performing that we can take over, allowing them to shift to more specialized work and help reduce wait times," Homan said, noting that ICE personnel are not trained to operate screening machines.

According to NBC, over 400 TSA employees have resigned due to unpaid work, while many others have used sick leave to avoid reporting for duty. Consequently, major airports across the US have seen passengers waiting for hours in security checkpoints. Images from last weekend showed queues extending into parking lots at New Orleans Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York.

Homan stated that ICE deployment would prioritize major airports experiencing wait times of up to three hours, committing to finalize the force allocation plan on 23/3.

Passengers queue for security screening at John F. Kennedy Airport, New York, on 22/3. Photo: AP

Senate Democrats had blocked funding for DHS, demanding comprehensive reform after two shootings by immigration agents in Minneapolis killed US citizens in January.

The plan to deploy ICE to airports has drawn widespread criticism. Senator Lisa Murkowski called it a "bad idea," arguing that the priority should be resolving the political deadlock that is hindering the budget and paying TSA employees, rather than increasing tension at airports with the presence of immigration enforcement personnel.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also strongly opposed the move, warning that deploying ICE agents without appropriate training for the task could endanger the public.

Everett Kelley, President of the American Federation of Government Employees, emphasized that ICE lacks aviation security certification, asserting that TSA personnel deserve to be paid rather than replaced.

Airline flight attendant unions also issued a joint statement criticizing the plan, warning that failing to pay security staff and bringing ICE into airports would cause chaos. They affirmed they would not accept an aviation system that does not prioritize safety.