Travelers flying out of New York City-area airports are facing significantly longer wait times as a partial federal government shutdown enters its second month. The shutdown has left thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers without pay, leading to staffing shortages and bottlenecks at security checkpoints.
Airport Delays Worsen
Late Sunday morning, lines at LaGuardia Airport stretched throughout the terminal. Passengers reported arriving early but still facing hours-long delays, with many attempting to rebook flights. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey advised travelers to check airport websites and airline apps for real-time wait times and flight information.
The Port Authority has increased customer service staff to assist passengers and manage queues. However, a DHS spokesperson reported that TSA officer absenteeism has been climbing, reaching over 11% nationwide on Saturday and more than 9% each day over the past week, with higher rates at major airports like JFK and LaGuardia.
Political Stalemate Fuels Crisis
The staffing shortages are attributed to TSA officers struggling to cover basic expenses without pay. The shutdown stems from a political stalemate: Democrats are refusing to fund DHS without reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, while Republicans insist on funding the entire department as a whole.
Potential ICE Intervention
As negotiations continued over the weekend, President Donald Trump threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to airports if a deal isn’t reached by Monday. White House Border Czar Tom Homan stated on Fox News Sunday that the President is “tired of waiting and American people being held hostage” by the long lines.
Homan indicated that ICE officers could handle tasks such as checking IDs and guarding terminal exits, freeing up TSA agents for specialized screening duties. He noted that “a lot of things that TSA does doesn’t require like specialized training.”
Community Steps In
Amidst the federal impasse, some New York businesses are offering support to unpaid TSA workers. The United Bodegas of America launched “Operation Rescue TSA,” an emergency credit program allowing agents to purchase food and essentials at participating bodegas and supermarkets with deferred payment until the shutdown ends.
Spokesman Fernando Mateo explained that bodegas are a neighborhood lifeline and extending credit to TSA workers is a natural extension of that role, stating, “These TSA agents walk into our stores every day and they buy food for their families… So the day that they don’t have the money to do it, we shouldn’t deny them the right to put food on their table.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the current shutdown start?
The shutdown began on February 14th, after Congress allowed DHS funding to lapse.
What is causing the long lines at airports?
The long lines are a result of TSA officer absenteeism, which has increased during the shutdown as workers struggle to cover basic expenses without pay.
What is the President’s response to the airport delays?
President Donald Trump has threatened to send ICE officers to airports if a deal to end the shutdown is not reached by Monday.
As negotiations continue, it remains to be seen whether a resolution will be reached, and how long travelers can expect to face these disruptions. The situation could worsen if the shutdown continues, or improve if a funding agreement is reached.
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