President Donald Trump said Sunday he was considering deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to U.S. airports as soon as Monday to address Transportation Security Administration staffing shortages caused by the ongoing government shutdown. The announcement came as TSA lines stretched out the door at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s Terminal One, with travelers facing significant delays and cancellations.
White House Border Czar Tom Homan confirmed Sunday that immigration agents will be at airports starting Monday. “We’ll put together a plan today and we’ll execute tomorrow,” he said. Trump’s proposal would deploy ICE agents to security checkpoints nationwide if a funding fix for the Department of Homeland Security is not finalized.
Travelers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport expressed skepticism about the plan during interviews Sunday morning. “To work at TSA? Do they know how to do that?” asked traveler Riqui Alleyne. Another passenger, Anita Zen, raised additional concerns: “Are they going to wear masks on their face? Are they going to cover themselves? How are we going to know are they real ICE agents? Are they trained?”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the proposal, saying Democrats have tried passing legislation to pay TSA during the shutdown. “The last thing that the American people need are for untrained ICE agents to be deployed at airports all across the country,” Jeffries said. The plan comes as TSA agents undergo rigorous, regimented training to screen passengers and bags, raising questions about ICE agents’ qualifications for airport security duties.
The impact of the partial government shutdown was evident at both of South Florida’s major airports Sunday. As of late Sunday afternoon, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport had experienced 287 delays and 24 cancellations, while Miami International Airport recorded 187 delays and 6 cancellations. The staffing shortages have created terminal turmoil nationwide, with passengers experiencing increased stress and frustration.
“You get stressed, you feel angry,” said traveler Anita Zen, describing the airport experience during the shutdown. On social media, Trump pointed the finger at Democrats for the delays, something that Democrats dispute. However, big questions remain about what role ICE would actually play in airport security operations and whether immigration agents have the necessary training to handle TSA responsibilities effectively.