Trump Deploys ICE Agents to US Airports Starting Monday

President Donald Trump announced on March 22, 2026, that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would deploy to U.S. airports starting Monday.

“In short: US President Donald Trump has ordered agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement to operate security queues”

ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

The announcement came after weeks of mounting chaos at airport security checkpoints due to the partial government shutdown.

ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Tens of thousands of TSA workers have continued working without receiving paycheques since the shutdown began February 14.

The standoff stems from Congress's failure to renew funding for DHS, which oversees airport security.

Travelers face increasingly long waits and disrupted air travel across the country due to the crisis.

The ICE deployment plan will be led by White House Border Czar Tom Homan.

ICE agents will take on supporting roles rather than specialized screening duties.

ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Homan confirmed on CNN that ICE agents would not operate X-ray machines due to lack of training.

Instead, they will assist with monitoring exit lanes, checking IDs, and managing passenger flow.

The plan was still being finalized with officials determining which airports would receive agents first.

Priority will be given to locations with the longest wait times of up to three hours.

Democrats and airport officials have strongly criticized the ICE deployment plan.

“Immigration enforcement agents will be deployed across major United States airports from Monday, President Donald Trump has announced, in an extraordinary move to ease a security crisis triggered by a prolonged political standoff in Washington”

Al Jazeera

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described ICE agents as 'the last thing the American people need' potentially to 'brutalize or kill them'.

Senator Patty Murray warned travelers don't want to be 'wrongfully detained by ICE' while waiting in long lines.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill condemned the plan as creating 'chaos for the American people'.

TSA union officials expressed concern about lack of specialized training.

ICE agents are not certified in aviation security and could create dangerous gaps in airport safety protocols.

Some Republican lawmakers have expressed support for the ICE deployment.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged 'lots of ideas swirling' but emphasized the need to fix the situation.

American Civil Liberties Union

Senator Mike Rounds suggested ICE assistance 'can't hurt' and could 'help relieve some pressure'.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy framed the deployment as taking leverage away from Democrats.

Duffy claimed Democrats wanted long lines as bargaining chips in funding negotiations.

The administration has positioned the move as a response to Democratic obstruction of DHS funding.

The practical implications of the ICE deployment remain uncertain.

ICE agents are largely being paid during the shutdown thanks to Trump's tax breaks bill.

AS USA

ICE agents are not trained in aviation security protocols that TSA officers spend months learning.

Former TSA officials told Government Executive the deployment would have 'minimal impact'.

They called it 'a political, publicity action, not a practical solution'.

Hundreds of TSA workers have resigned during the shutdown.

Call-out rates have reached 55% at some airports, creating a staffing crisis.

Experts question whether untrained personnel can effectively fill the security gaps.

The ICE airport deployment represents a dramatic escalation in the political battle.

Trump first threatened the deployment on Saturday unless Democrats immediately agreed to fund DHS.

He confirmed the plan would proceed on Sunday.

The move comes as Trump has injected additional demands into negotiations.

He stated he would reject any deal unless Democrats support his elections overhaul bill.

The Senate has advanced Markwayne Mullin's nomination as the next homeland security secretary.

The airport deployment appears to be part of a broader strategy to pressure Democrats.

Officials are still finalizing deployment plans as travelers brace for potential disruptions.