Trump orders ICE agents to help at airports as DHS shutdown strains TSA lines
President Donald Trump ordered ICE agents to deploy at U.S. airports starting Monday, March 23, 2026, aiming to ease long TSA lines amid a partial DHS shutdown that has produced severe staffing shortages and political deadlock over immigration and funding.
- ICE agents to assist TSA — the White House says ICE will perform non-specialized duties to free up screeners; exact roles remain unclear.
- Civil liberties concerns — groups including the ACLU call the move unprecedented and dangerous.
- Staffing strain — the partial DHS shutdown has driven resignations and absences among TSA officers, prompting the cross-agency proposal (Time).
- Congressional review — a House Homeland Security Committee hearing is set for March 25 to examine the impacts and legal authority (Time).
Context: Why ICE agents deploy airports now
The partial DHS shutdown began in mid-February 2026 after lawmakers failed to agree on funding and policy changes. Democrats have sought reforms at ICE and Customs and Border Protection — including body cameras, limits on enforcement in sensitive places, clearer warrant rules, and visible agent identification — following fatal Minneapolis shootings earlier this year (Time).
Republicans have pushed to fund parts of DHS, such as the Coast Guard, TSA and FEMA, only as part of broader funding. The standoff has left many TSA officers working without pay, prompting call-outs, resignations and strains on airport security operations; Time reports 366 to more than 400 TSA officers left their jobs since the shutdown began, with some agents sleeping at airports and small airports at risk of closure (Time).
What the administration says about the ICE airport deployment
President Trump posted on his social platform blaming “Radical Left Democrats” for the funding impasse and saying ICE would help TSA employees who “have stayed on the job.” He stated operations would include immigration enforcement and accused Democrats of protecting “hard line criminals who have entered our Country illegally” (Time).
Administration officials directed questions back to the president’s post and to agency leads. Border czar Tom Homan said ICE will do non-specialized tasks to free TSA officers for screening; Homan’s comments are available in video remarks (video statement by Tom Homan) and additional administration video briefings (video statement, video statement).
Acting ICE Administrator Todd Lyons is said to be finalizing plans; however, what remains unclear is which airports will see ICE presence, how many agents will be deployed, how long the deployment will last, and what legal or oversight safeguards will govern their conduct.
Security roles and training questions
TSA officers undergo specific training for passenger and baggage screening, explosives detection and aviation security rules. ICE officers are trained for immigration enforcement and removals. Moving ICE staff into airport roles raises questions about training, use of force, and passenger privacy.
“ICE would not perform specialized screening tasks,” Homan said, adding ICE would handle duties not requiring specialized TSA training, like guarding exits to free up screeners for X-ray machines (video statement).
Watchdog groups note that even non-screening duties could create an intimidating environment for travelers and communities, particularly immigrants and people of color.
Reactions from civil rights groups and lawmakers
Civil liberties groups reacted strongly. The ACLU called the deployment “unprecedented” and warned armed ICE agents at checkpoints could chill travelers and communities, shift ICE from enforcement to a visible presence, and risk racial profiling.
Democrats described the deployment as political and risky, urging negotiations to focus on reforms and accountability. Republicans defended the move as necessary to keep airports operating and protect public safety while talks continue.
Legal experts say questions remain about federal authority to use one agency’s officers to perform another agency’s functions without clear statutory direction or interagency agreements; the administration says DHS managers are coordinating details and referred further questions to the president’s post and agency leads (Time).
How travelers and airports have been affected so far
Major airports, including Minneapolis-St. Paul and Phoenix, have seen long lines and unpredictable wait times during the spring travel season. Reports say some TSA officers are working unpaid, missing pay for weeks, and facing travel or childcare costs that make reporting for shifts difficult. Local airports have relied on donations, food aid and staff flexibility to manage crowds (Time).
TSA officials warned that persistent staffing shortages could lead to temporary closures at smaller airports and longer delays at larger hubs. The administration argues deploying ICE agents will help reduce wait times and keep flights moving while Congress debates funding.
House hearing and next steps
A House Homeland Security Committee hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25 to examine the shutdown’s effect on TSA and homeland security operations. Lawmakers will press DHS leaders on staffing, legal authority for cross-agency deployments, and plans to ensure passenger safety and civil liberties (Time).
The hearing could force the administration to clarify where ICE will be used, what rules will govern conduct, and how long personnel will remain at airports. It may also test whether bipartisan pressure can produce a temporary funding deal to ease the DHS shutdown.
Implications for San Luis Obispo, California
Economic impact: San Luis Obispo County relies on steady visitor traffic. Smaller regional airports could face longer lines or staffing shifts if ICE agents are sent to larger hubs first, pushing travelers to drive farther and affecting hotels, restaurants and tourism revenues in spring and summer.
Public safety and operations: Local airport managers may need to reassign security duties. The San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport and private carriers could see checkpoint staffing changes if TSA reallocates officers; local law enforcement will seek clear guidance on ICE authority on site.
Community trust: San Luis Obispo’s diverse populations, including immigrant residents and college students, could feel heightened fear if ICE is visible at airports. Schools and community groups may receive increased requests for information and assistance.
Legal and political consequences: County and city leaders may face pressure to demand transparency about ICE activities at regional airports and assurances on civil rights protections; the issue could emerge in local political debates.
Practical advice: Travelers from San Luis Obispo should allow extra time for screening, monitor official airport and airline notices, and be aware that ICE may be more visible at some airports.
Sources and reporting notes
Reporting for this article used the Time report on plans and impacts, administration video statements (video; video; video), and a statement from the ACLU. Additional information on TSA staffing impacts and scheduled hearings was drawn from these sources (Time).
