Trump Orders ICE Agents to Airports to Aid TSA as DHS Shutdown Deepens, Raising Security and Passenger Concerns
WASHINGTON (Times Media Service) – President Donald Trump ordered ICE agents to airports nationwide beginning March 23, 2026, to assist TSA amid a partial DHS shutdown, a move that aims to ease delays but raises security, immigration enforcement and passenger concerns.
Key takeaways
- ICE to airports: The White House said ICE will “help our wonderful TSA Agents” starting March 23, per the president’s social post and administration comments. (Axios)
- Details lacking: No public rollout identified which airports, how many agents, or precise duties will be assigned. (Axios)
- Staffing strain: Some 366–400 TSA officers have resigned since the shutdown began Feb. 14, worsening spring travel delays. (Axios)
- Concerns: Unions, lawmakers and security experts warn mixing immigration enforcement with screening could undermine security and passenger trust. (Axios)
What the administration says ICE will do
White House border czar Tom Homan told CNN’s State of the Union that ICE agents would perform non-specialized tasks to free TSA officers for passenger and bag screening. Homan said ICE would handle duties that do not require TSA’s four-to-six months of checkpoint training, such as guarding exit lanes and verifying IDs, and that ICE would not operate X-ray machines. (CNN’s State of the Union coverage on YouTube; Axios)
“How complex is it to secure an exit?” — Tom Homan on the scope of ICE duties.
Homan said he was coordinating with acting ICE Administrator Todd Lyons on a plan “that would free up TSA agents for specialized tasks” and hoped to finalize details quickly, though the White House and DHS had not provided a public rollout by Monday morning. (YouTube; Axios)
Questions remain about immigration enforcement
Although framed as a staffing fix to reduce airport delays caused by the partial DHS shutdown, prior presidential posts and aides’ comments leave open the possibility of routine immigration enforcement occurring in or near checkpoints. Axios reported the president’s social post referenced targeting certain migrants, and Homan did not explicitly rule out immigration enforcement actions near screening areas. That prospect has alarmed lawmakers and unions worried about mixing enforcement with passenger screening. (Axios)
Reactions from unions, lawmakers and security experts
The plan drew immediate criticism:
- AFGE: The American Federation of Government Employees, representing many TSA officers, rejected the plan, warning that placing untrained ICE personnel at checkpoints “creates security gaps.” (Axios)
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.): Warned the move risks detentions, harassment or assault by immigration agents in crowded terminals. (Axios)
- Association of Flight Attendants-CWA: Called the deployment a “diversion” from paying and supporting TSOs, saying the administration is shifting responsibility rather than funding furloughed workers. (Axios)
- Former TSA Administrator John Pistole: Warned that while there may be no legal barrier, the move is unwise — inexperienced personnel could miss threats, passengers could react badly to enforcement, and airport security and TSA morale could be degraded. (Axios)
Travelers interviewed at airports had mixed reactions — some relieved at the prospect of shorter lines, others worried about seeing immigration agents in screening areas. (YouTube on-the-ground reporting)
Background: How the shutdown led here
The partial DHS shutdown began Feb. 14, 2026, after a funding standoff in Congress. Democrats have repeatedly blocked full DHS funding — five times as of Friday — seeking policy changes to ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the wake of high-profile incidents, including the January 2026 deaths of U.S. citizens Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during an encounter with federal immigration agents. Democrats pressed for new oversight and rules on ICE operations as a precondition for funding, while Republicans rejected funding other DHS components like TSA, Coast Guard and FEMA without broader agreement. The stalemate has left many TSA officers unpaid, contributing to resignations and operational strain. (Axios)
Operational risks officials are watching
Security experts and former officials say the plan carries several risks that merit monitoring:
- Training gap: TSA checkpoint screeners receive specialized certification and months of training; substituting ICE agents could risk missed threats. (Axios)
- Mission confusion: Mixing immigration enforcement with security screening could create tense confrontations, slow lines and spark civil rights complaints or legal challenges. (Axios)
- Local friction: Any arrests, questioning or visible enforcement by ICE may alarm travelers, disrupt operations and make airports flashpoints for protest. (Axios; YouTube)
What to watch next
Key indicators:
- Deployment details: Look for official notices from DHS, ICE or airport authorities naming which airports, how many agents and assigned duties.
- Legal and policy checks: Civil liberties groups or state attorneys general may challenge ICE use in domestic screening areas if enforcement occurs.
- Congressional response: Lawmakers could hold hearings or demand briefings on legality and effects on airport safety and commerce.
- Passenger impact: Travelers, especially during spring break, will quickly show whether the move shortens TSA lines or causes new disruptions. (Axios)
Implications for San Diego, California
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is a major travel hub for Southern California and nearby border communities. Any policy affecting screening speed or creating enforcement-related disruptions could slow arrivals and departures, hitting local tourism, business travel and hospitality industries during a key spring season. Delays also raise costs for airlines and local businesses that rely on reliable schedules. San Diego’s cruise terminals and cross-border tourism could see ripple effects if travelers change plans due to concerns about airport experiences. (Axios)
Political consequences
San Diego’s border-adjacent politics could intensify debate over federal immigration policy and airport policing. Local officials and members of Congress may face pressure to respond; Democrats concerned about ICE tactics may oppose deployments while Republicans focused on restoring airport operations may support them. (Axios)
Social effects
San Diego’s immigrant communities could feel uneasy seeing ICE more visibly present in transit hubs. Community groups and legal aid organizations may receive more calls for assistance or know-your-rights guidance. Airports could see protests or multilingual outreach efforts that further complicate operational recovery. (YouTube; Axios)
Practical effects on daily life
For San Diegans, possible effects include:
- Longer or shorter waits depending on assignments and whether enforcement incidents occur.
- Increased likelihood of seeing federal immigration agents in terminal areas.
- Potential disrupted travel plans if airlines delay flights during enforcement or protests.
- Need to carry ID and know passenger rights; local legal aid groups may post guidance.
As of this writing, San Diego officials and airport operators had not issued public statements detailing local plans should ICE agents be sent to SAN. Travelers and workers should watch official airport communications and expect updates from DHS, TSA or ICE if a deployment is announced. (Axios)
Reporting and sources
This article draws on reporting and recorded interviews. Key sources include:
- Axios coverage of the announcement and context
- CNN’s State of the Union coverage on YouTube (Tom Homan interview)
- On-the-ground airport reporting and traveler interviews on YouTube
Preserved facts, links and reporting reflect source material cited above.
