Trump orders ICE agents to airports to help understaffed TSA as DHS shutdown drags on
President Donald Trump ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to deploy to U.S. airports beginning March 23, 2026, to assist unpaid TSA officers amid a partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown that began Feb. 14.
- Deployment announced via Truth Social: Axios reported the post said ICE agents would go to airports on March 23 to assist TSA amid the partial DHS shutdown.
- Details remain sparse: The White House, DHS and TSA have not specified which airports, how many agents, or exact duties — Axios.
- Administration framing: Officials say ICE will perform non‑specialized tasks to free TSOs for technical screening work — see the CNN State of the Union clip summarized by Axios.
What the administration says
The White House and President Trump framed the move as a response to staffing shortages produced by a prolonged DHS funding impasse. In a Truth Social post, the president blamed “Radical Left Democrats” for blocking funding he described as previously agreed and said ICE would assist “our wonderful TSA Agents who have stayed on the job.” The announcement and commentary are documented by Axios.
Administration explanation and planning
DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said the administration is using “every available resource” to reduce wait times, citing spring‑break travel pressures. The White House referred detailed questions about roles and locations back to the president’s post (see Axios).
Tom Homan, the White House border chief, told CNN the ICE role would be limited to non‑specialized tasks — for example, guarding exits, verifying IDs and securing non‑technical checkpoints — to let trained TSA officers resume X‑ray screening and other technical duties. Homan’s remarks are available in the CNN State of the Union clip, referenced in Axios.
What remains unclear
Despite the announcement, officials have not specified which airports will receive ICE agents, how many agents will be sent, how long deployments will last, or what oversight and additional training (if any) ICE will receive for airport duties. Those gaps have left local officials and airport operators seeking clarity on how to keep security both effective and lawful (Axios).
Operational reporting and on‑the‑ground impact
Local and national video reports showed airports feeling the strain from the DHS funding lapse. Stations documented long lines and delays as airports and airlines scrambled to manage crowds. See local footage and reporting from the KTLA report, the NBCLA report, and the CNN State of the Union clip summarized in news accounts.
Security officials and unions push back
Former TSA Administrator John Pistole warned that while legal authority may permit ICE at airports, it is “unwise” without clear training and oversight. Pistole told Axios that untrained personnel could miss threats or provoke confrontations.
Everett Kelley, president of the TSA officers’ union, said the move “creates” a security gap rather than closing one; unions and flight attendants criticized deploying enforcement personnel instead of funding and supporting TSOs who are working without full pay (Axios).
“If I were boarding a flight tomorrow, I would want to be assured that the individuals conducting the screening are competent,” Pistole said.
Why the shutdown is happening
The partial DHS shutdown began Feb. 14, 2026, after a political impasse over immigration enforcement and oversight. Democrats seek policy changes and reforms for ICE and CBP in exchange for reopening DHS funding; Republicans have resisted attaching those demands to funding bills. The debate intensified after the Jan. 2026 deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis at the hands of federal immigration agents, prompting calls for new rules governing ICE operations (Axios).
Operational pressures at airports
Resignations and absences among TSA officers have increased since the shutdown. Reporting cites roughly 366 to 400 TSA officers resigning since the funding lapse began, worsening checkpoint backlogs and increasing wait times at major hubs. The administration says ICE deployment aims to reduce lines and keep checkpoints moving (Axios).
Legal and training questions
Legal experts note ICE has law‑enforcement authority that could permit agents to operate in and around airports, but airport screening and X‑ray operations remain TSA responsibilities that require months of specialized training. Administration officials say ICE will avoid roles that require specialized TSA training, but former TSA officials and unions worry about split responsibilities, mixed messages for travelers, and civil‑liberties implications (Axios).
Implications for Los Angeles, California
Economic: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is among the nation’s busiest hubs; continued delays could deter spring travelers and affect airlines, hotels, ride‑share drivers and local businesses. A successful ICE deployment could limit short‑term economic losses; confusion or unrest could amplify costs (Axios).
Political & social: Local leaders have historically criticized ICE practices; increased ICE presence may become a local flashpoint. Large immigrant communities in L.A. may feel heightened anxiety, and advocacy groups could increase outreach and legal aid at airports (Axios).
Cultural: Visible ICE activity at LAX or regional airports may clash with Los Angeles’ branding as diverse and welcoming, potentially prompting businesses and institutions to state positions regarding federal enforcement in public visitor spaces.
Practical guidance for travelers
Passengers should expect uncertain conditions at checkpoints. With no clear federal guidance on locations or roles, travelers should:
- Allow extra time for screening;
- Carry required travel documents and know your rights;
- Monitor airport alerts and local reporting such as the KTLA report and NBCLA report for evolving conditions;
- If concerned about immigration enforcement activity, noncitizen travelers should consider contacting a lawyer or community‑based legal aid groups.
Ongoing questions for L.A. officials and the public
Local airport authorities and Los Angeles officials need formal answers from DHS, ICE and TSA about where agents will be deployed, how many will be sent, what training and oversight they will have, and how passenger privacy and civil‑rights protections will be enforced. Without those details, the region risks both longer lines and potential confrontations if screening and enforcement duties overlap (Axios).
Coverage and sources
This article draws on reporting and video coverage documenting statements by the president and White House officials as deployments were set to begin March 23. Key source reporting: Axios (March 22, 2026). Video statements and local reporting include the CNN State of the Union clip, the NBCLA report, and the KTLA report.
