politics
March 22, 2026
ICE 'highly trained' for airport security in TSA support role: Homan
As Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers prepare to deploy to airports starting Monday to assist Transportation Security Administration officers, border czar Tom Homan outlined a limited support role focused on tasks such as guarding exits and easing passenger flow.
TL;DR
- ICE officers will deploy to airports starting Monday to assist TSA officers.
- The role will be limited, focusing on tasks like guarding exits and easing passenger flow, not replacing TSA screeners.
- This support is intended to fill gaps created by staffing shortages due to the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
- President Trump directed ICE to assist TSA amid funding standoff and delays.
- Critics, like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, expressed concerns about the safety and risks associated with deploying ICE officers at airports.
- The DHS funding standoff has centered on immigration policy disputes, leading to TSA worker furloughs and increased wait times.
- ICE officers already have a presence at airports for other law enforcement duties.
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