Travel Delays

People wait in a TSA line at the John F. Kennedy International Airport, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in New York.

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ICE officers will begin assisting TSA as shutdown frustrates travelers and screeners

ICE officers will begin assisting TSA as shutdown frustrates travelers and screeners

President Donald Trump’s decision to order federal immigration agents to U.S. airports to help with security is drawing concerns that their presence may escalate tensions among air travelers and screeners. A spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security says “hundreds” of officers will be deployed, but where they're going isn't being disclosed for what the government says are security reasons. Their enhanced role comes as a budget impasse has air travelers frustrated over hourslong waits and security screeners angry about missed paychecks. Trump says he's acting because Democrats have failed to agree on a bill to fund DHS. But some lawmakers say it could escalate tensions at crowded airports.