The White House plans to deploy ICE officers to major airports to ease security delays amid the government shutdown.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ The White House has announced a controversial plan to deploy hundreds of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to major airports nationwide.ย
The move is intended to alleviate crippling security wait times caused by an ongoing partial government shutdown that has left the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) severely understaffed as furloughed federal workers go unpaid for another week.
While the administration frames the move as a necessary “force multiplier,” critics and labor unions have raised immediate concerns regarding the training and safety implications of using immigration enforcement officers for aviation security.
RELATED: ICE to act as โforce multiplierโ for TSA at airports, border czar says
A “reckless” funding impasse
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown has forced over 50,000 TSA employees to work without pay. The financial strain has reached a breaking point for many on the front lines.
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis issued a sharp rebuke of congressional Democrats, linking the airport delays directly to the budget stalemate.
โBecause of the Democrat shutdown, President Trump is using every tool available to help American travelers who are facing hours-long lines at airports across the country,โ Bis said. โThis pointless, reckless shutdown of our homeland security workforce has caused more than 400 TSA officers to quit and thousands to call out from work because they are not able to afford gas, childcare, food, or rent.โ
Bis emphasized that the deployment is a strategic use of available resources.ย
โWhile the Democrats continue to put the safety, dependability, and ease of our air travel at risk, President Trump is taking action to deploy hundreds of ICE officers to airports being adversely impacted,” she said.
Role of ICE at checkpoints
U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan described the deployment as a “force multiplier.”ย
Officials clarified that ICE agents will take on non-technical roles to free up specialized staff. These duties include monitoring security lines, checking passenger IDs and managing terminal flow.
By handling these “non-regulated” tasks, the administration hopes to allow certified TSA officers to focus exclusively on technical screenings and X-ray operations.
Local impact: Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
In Charlotte, security lines have lengthened at times but have not yet matched the chaos seen at other major hubs. Despite the more stable environment, local officials and Democrats have warned against using agents who are not specifically trained for TSA duties.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport released a statement urging travelers to remain vigilant.
“CLT remains in close communication with our federal partners to stay informed and responsive as needed,” the airport said. “Currently, there are no significant impacts to airport operations, and we continue to prioritize the safety and security of passengers and employees.”
The airport also extended its thanks to the “dedicated TSA employees at CLT for their continued commitment” despite the lack of pay.
Travel advisory for passengers
If you are flying during this period, officials recommend being “extra cautious” and following these guidelines:
- Arrive early: CLT recommends arriving two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures.
- Monitor alerts: Watch for real-time airline alerts and check security wait times on the CLT Airport app before heading to the terminal.
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