In a swift response to mounting travel disruptions, hundreds of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been deployed to more than a dozen major U.S. airports starting March 23, 2026, to assist overwhelmed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers struggling with severe staffing shortages during a partial government shutdown.
The deployment, directed by the Trump administration and coordinated under White House border czar Tom Homan, targets airports hit hardest by high TSA call-out rates—sometimes exceeding 10-40% at hubs like Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, New York’s JFK, Houston’s Bush Intercontinental, and Newark. Unpaid TSA workers led to absenteeism spikes, with lines stretching for hours and some passengers facing waits of up to six hours.
ICE agents are not performing specialized screening tasks, such as operating X-ray machines or conducting full body scans, for which they lack specific training. Instead, they focus on support roles including crowd control, line management, ID checks, and guarding exit lanes. This allows trained TSA officers to concentrate on core security screening, accelerating the flow of passengers through checkpoints.
Early reports from airports in Atlanta, Houston, and New York indicate visible improvements in queue organization. Travelers have shared positive encounters, with some shaking hands with ICE officers to thank them for their service. Officials note that freeing up even a handful of TSA personnel for screening duties can meaningfully reduce bottlenecks at busy domestic terminals. Homan emphasized the goal: “helping TSA do their mission and get the American public through that airport as quick as they can while adhering to all the security guidelines.”
The move highlights resourceful inter-agency cooperation within the Department of Homeland Security during budget negotiations. While long lines have not vanished overnight—some airports still advise arriving four hours early—the targeted assistance from experienced federal law enforcement officers demonstrates a practical step toward restoring smoother operations for millions of travelers.
As funding talks continue in Congress, this deployment underscores a commitment to keeping America’s skies open and secure without compromising safety standards. Travelers at affected airports are encouraged to check real-time wait times and prepare accordingly, but many are already breathing easier thanks to the extra hands on deck.
SOURCES:
Delta suspends special treatment for Congress as shutdown sows chaos in airports | Reuters
Enhanced role for immigration officers at US airports | AP News
Immigration agents deploying to airports under border czar as TSA staffing falls short | CNN Politics
ICE agents to be deployed to US airports beginning Monday : NPR
See the airports ICE is being sent to, what they can and can’t do
ICE agents may assist TSA at airports during delays | FOX 26 Houston
ICE Agents Will Assist TSA At Airports Starting Monday: Here’s What They Could Do
Tom Homan says ICE agents will assist at crowded airport security points amid TSA staffing shortages
