ICE at airports isn't easing long security lines, travelers say
Despite new support from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, passengers report ongoing delays at major U.S. airports.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been deployed to some U.S. airports to help with long security waits.
- The deployment is a response to a TSA worker shortage caused by a partial government shutdown.
- Some travelers report that the presence of ICE agents is not helping to reduce the long lines.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrived at some U.S. airports aiming to help with long waits amid the partial government shutdown, but at least one traveler at John F. Kennedy International Airport tells USA TODAY that so far, "It’s not helping."
Both masked and unmasked ICE agents in marked vests were seen at JFK and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where travelers were still reporting long airport security waits.
In a post on social media, President Donald Trump weighed in on agents wearing masks, saying he's a "BIG proponent of ICE wearing masks," but said he'd "greatly appreciate, however, NO MASKS, when helping our Country out of the Democrat caused MESS at the airports."
Which airports have ICE agents?
The New York Times and CNN report that ICE agents are being deployed to more than a dozen airports across the country.
DHS Acting Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Lauren Bis, told USA TODAY that the agency would not confirm the locations of officers, citing "operational security reasons."
According to CNN, the airports are:
- Chicago-O'Hare International Airport
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Houston's William P. Hobby Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York
- LaGuardia Airport in New York
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
- Luis Munoz Marin International Airport near San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey
- Philadelphia International Airport
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Pittsburgh International Airport
- Southwest Florida International Airport in the Fort Myers area
Without naming each airport, the New York Times similarly reported, "The airports span the country, including Kennedy and LaGuardia in New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston and Phoenix."
What is it like at airports Monday?
At JFK, a JetBlue representative was patrolling the line around 9:30 a.m. ET, asking travelers if they had flights departing at 11:30 a.m. or earlier. Those who did were pulled from the line and brought forward.
One passenger showed the representative her ticket and the representative said, "I don’t know if you’re going to make a 10:30 a.m. flight, I’ll be honest with you."
Nate Bien was waiting in line for a flight to Guatemala for half an hour and still had a long way to go.
"It’s a mess," he said. Born in France, Bien has lived in the U.S. for 18 years and compared the lines in the JetBlue terminal to the disruptions that happen during strikes in France.
He didn’t see how ICE patrols were alleviating the situation, either.
"It’s not helping," he said. "They’re not helping to reduce that," he added, pointing at the line ahead of him.
At Atlanta's airport, Saad Hassan of Virginia, who was traveling with his band, said he hoped ICE was helping.
"Yeah, we saw them everywhere. They're outside the doors. They just walk past, a few of them, and I don't know exactly what they're doing," Hassan said.
Asked if he saw them interacting with any passengers or helping the lines, he replied, "No, nothing. Not that we saw."
Why is ICE at airports?
ICE agents have been brought in to help expedite waits amid the TSA worker shortage.
Upwards of 1 in 10 TSA officers have called out in recent days, as they continue to go unpaid due a funding impasse in Congress.
"President Trump is using every tool available to help American travelers who are facing hours long lines at airports across the country—especially during this spring break and holiday season that is very important for many American families. This pointless, reckless shutdown of our homeland security workforce has caused more than 400 TSA officers to quit and thousands to call out from work because they are not able to afford gas, childcare, food, or rent," Acting Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Lauren Bis said in a statement to USA TODAY. "President Trump is taking action to deploy hundreds of ICE officers, that are currently funded by Congress, to airports being adversely impacted. This will help bolster TSA efforts to keep our skies safe and minimize air travel disruptions.”
Reuters reported that ICE agents would not immediately be deployed in secure areas of the airport because they lack the appropriate security clearances.
How does TSA feel about having ICE at airports?
In a March 23 interview with Fox News, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl said ICE agents would be "conducting non-specialized security support, manning the exit lanes, crowd management, line control." He also expressed gratitude for easing the challenges being faced by TSA officers and travelers.
The union that represents TSA officers wants to make it clear, though, that they are not being replaced.
"ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security," American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley said in a statement to USA TODAY. "TSA officers spend months learning to detect explosives, weapons, and threats specifically designed to evade detection at checkpoints — skills that require specialized instruction, hands-on practice, and ongoing recertification. You cannot improvise that. Putting untrained personnel at security checkpoints does not fill a gap. It creates one."
Kelley called on Congress to fund TSA workers immediately.
(This story has been updated with new information.)
Contributing: Irene Smith, N'dea Yancey-Bragg; USA TODAY