In an unprecedented response to escalating airport security delays, President Donald Trump has ordered the redeployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to major US airports. The directive, announced via social media on Sunday, comes as a weeks-long budget stalemate over the administration’s immigration policies continues to cripple operations at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The funding crisis for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered its third week on February 14, with Democratic lawmakers refusing to approve budgets without immigration reforms following Trump’s controversial enforcement actions in Minnesota. This impasse has forced TSA employees nationwide to work without pay, resulting in widespread absenteeism and resignations.
Tom Homan, the president’s senior border advisor, confirmed to CNN that ICE personnel would be reassigned to assist with security operations beginning Monday. However, he clarified that these agents would not perform specialized screening functions. “I don’t see an ICE agent looking at an x-ray machine, because you’re not trained in that,” Homan stated during an appearance on ‘State of the Union.’ Instead, agents will provide supplementary support through exit monitoring and other security enhancements.
The TSA workforce crisis has reached critical levels, with over 300 employees resigning since the funding lapse began. Unscheduled absences have more than doubled according to media reports, creating security line wait times exceeding multiple hours at major airports. Many TSA officers have resorted to second jobs or charitable support, with several airports establishing food pantries and gift card programs for affected staff.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the situation would likely deteriorate further, potentially increasing pressure on Congress to resolve the budgetary standoff. Democrats have conditioned funding approval on significant immigration enforcement modifications, including curtailed patrols, prohibition of face masks during operations, and requiring judicial warrants for property entries.
Despite the broader DHS funding freeze, ICE has maintained normal operations using previously allocated congressional funds, creating the paradoxical situation where one agency within the department can assist another that remains unfunded.