White House border czar Tom Homan says Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will continue assisting at U.S. airports for as long as necessary, as the Transportation Security Administration works to return to full staffing and normal operations. He explained that ICE agents will remain in place until airport security systems are fully stabilized and operating at 100 percent capacity.
The deployment of ICE personnel comes in response to ongoing staffing shortages at TSA, which have been caused by a prolonged Department of Homeland Security funding dispute. Thousands of TSA workers have continued to work without pay during the shutdown, leading to significant strain on the workforce and disruptions at airport security checkpoints.
Homan stated that help from ICE will depend on how many TSA employees return to work once pay resumes. He noted that some workers have already left their positions permanently, and the number who come back will determine how long additional support is needed.
He also confirmed that TSA agents are expected to begin receiving their paychecks soon, possibly as early as March 30 or March 31. This follows action taken to restore compensation after workers missed multiple pay periods during the funding standoff.
The financial strain on TSA employees has been significant, with many struggling to cover basic living expenses such as rent and food. Homan acknowledged these challenges, emphasizing that restoring pay is an important step in helping stabilize the workforce.
ICE agents have been assisting with various airport security tasks, including checking identification and helping monitor areas of concern. Their presence is intended to allow TSA personnel to focus on specialized duties that require additional training, such as operating screening equipment and monitoring baggage systems.
The additional support appears to be helping reduce wait times in some areas. Homan noted that lines at certain airports, including Houston, have improved, with wait times decreasing significantly compared to earlier in the shutdown. Additional ICE agents have also been deployed to other locations, such as Baltimore, to further ease congestion.
Despite some improvements, delays are still occurring at many airports. Officials have warned that wait times can remain longer than usual, and in some cases, security lines may still stretch for hours depending on staffing levels and passenger volume.
The broader issue of funding for the Department of Homeland Security remains unresolved. Negotiations in Congress have stalled, with lawmakers leaving Washington for a scheduled recess without reaching an agreement. The Senate is expected to return on April 13, followed by the House on April 14, leaving uncertainty about when a long-term funding solution will be finalized.
Until those issues are addressed and TSA staffing stabilizes, ICE agents are expected to remain at airports, continuing to provide support to maintain security operations and reduce disruptions for travelers.
Source: Epoch Times
