Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will remain at airports to assist with security operations until the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is able to return to normal staffing levels, according to border czar Tom Homan. The announcement comes as a partial government shutdown continues to impact federal agencies.
ICE Support Contingent on TSA Staffing
Homan stated on Sunday that ICE will maintain a presence at airports “until the airports feel like they’re in 100%, you know, in a posture where they can do normal operations.” He indicated that the number of ICE agents deployed will be adjusted based on the number of TSA agents who return to work, and how many have resigned during the shutdown. “If less TSA agents come back, that means we’ll keep more ICE agents there,” Homan said.
President Donald Trump directed the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA officers in an effort to alleviate the impact of the shutdown. Homan said TSA officers will “hopefully” receive paychecks by Monday or Tuesday.
Impact of the Shutdown
The ongoing shutdown has created staffing shortages at airports, leading to longer wait times at security checkpoints. According to testimony before Congress, it takes approximately four to six months to fully train recent transportation security officers. This extended training period complicates efforts to quickly replace departing TSA staff.
Negotiations to end the shutdown remain stalled. House Republicans passed a short-term funding bill on Friday that lacks sufficient support in the Senate. A Senate-passed bill, which excluded funding for immigration enforcement, was rejected by the House. The DHS shutdown became the longest partial government shutdown in U.S. History on Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will ICE agents leave airports once TSA officers are paid?
Tom Homan said, “We’ll see.” The decision will depend on how many TSA agents return to work and how many have permanently left their positions.
How many TSA workers have left their jobs during the shutdown?
Approximately 500 TSA workers have quit since the start of the shutdown, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
How long does it capture to train a new TSA officer?
A top TSA official testified before Congress that it takes approximately four to six months to train transportation security officers.
As Congress prepares for a scheduled recess, the future of funding for the Department of Homeland Security remains uncertain. Will lawmakers be able to reach a compromise to end the shutdown and restore normal operations at airports and other critical agencies?
Worth a look