TSA Union Blasts Trump Plan as ICE Agents Enter Airports Amid Shutdown
ICE agents are now working inside major U.S. airports as a federal shutdown leaves TSA officers unpaid and short-staffed. The move is raising new tension as travel disruptions worsen nationwide.
The conflict centers on a stark divide: ICE agents are still being paid, while TSA workers have missed weeks of paychecks, leading to resignations and mass callouts.
According to Business Insider and Reuters, more than 400 TSA officers have quit and thousands have called out sick, pushing wait times at some airports beyond four hours. In response, the Trump administration authorized ICE agents to assist with basic duties like ID checks and crowd control.
But the fix is creating new concerns. The TSA union and federal officials warn ICE agents are not trained for aviation security, raising questions about safety and protocol inside checkpoints.
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“They are not trained or certified for TSA screening,” said union president Everett Kelley.
The situation is intensifying pressure across the system. Assaults on TSA workers have surged, and airports are warning of continued disruptions as staffing gaps widen.
At the same time, public reaction remains divided, with some travelers uneasy about immigration officers inside terminals while others support the added manpower.
The standoff stems from a broader political fight in Washington over immigration enforcement and DHS funding, which has stalled for weeks without resolution.
Lawmakers are now weighing funding options as the administration pushes emergency measures to restore TSA pay.
For now, airports remain caught in the middle of a funding battle with no clear end.
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