American Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are set to be deployed at major US airports in an attempt to reduce growing security lines at some American hubs, US President Donald Trump has stated.
Trump confirmed the move in a series of social media posts over the weekend, as many travellers face delays due to staff shortages at airports caused by a partial government shutdown now in its sixth week.
“On Monday, ICE will be going to airports to help our wonderful TSA [Transportation Security Administration] Agents who have stayed on the job,” he posted on social media on Sunday.
“I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, ‘GET READY.’ NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!”
The partial closure has seen TSA employees work without pay since 14 February. According to Associated Press, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the agency, said at least 376 employees have quit since the shutdown began. Thousands of others, meanwhile, are choosing not to work without pay.
In an email to NPR, DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said the government would deploy “hundreds” of ICE agents “to airports being adversely impacted” by hours-long lines.
What they could do
As to what role ICE agents will play at airports, even the most senior officials are giving conflicting messages.
White House Border Czar Tom Homan, the person in charge of ICE deployment, told CNN on Sunday that the rollout is “a work in progress”.
“I don’t see an ICE agent looking at an X-ray machine because they’re not trained in that,” he said.
“There are certain parts of security that TSA is doing that we can move them off those jobs and put them in the specialized jobs, help move those lines.
“But we will be at airports tomorrow helping TSA move those lines along.”
However, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy suggested agents could be operating x-ray scanners.
“They know how to run the X-ray machines because they are again under Homeland Security with TSA,” Duffy told ABC Sunday.
In addition, he warned that things could get worse if a bill to fund DHS isn’t passed soon.
“I think you’re going to see more TSA agents – as we come to Thursday, Friday, Saturday of next week – they’re going to quit or they’re not going to show up,” Duffy said.
It’s also unclear where the operatives could be deployed. However, CNN reports that ICE agents are expected at Atlanta airport on Monday, for starters.
“Not trained”
Meanwhile, Everett Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents TSA officers, slammed the idea of sending ICE agents to airports.
“ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security. TSA officers spend months learning to detect explosives, weapons, and threats specifically designed to evade detection at checkpoints – skills that require specialized instruction, hands-on practice, and ongoing recertification,” he stated.
“Putting untrained personnel at security checkpoints does not fill a gap. It creates one.”
“Our members at TSA have been showing up every day, without a paycheck, because they believe in the mission of keeping the flying public safe.”
As TSA officers continue to work without pay, a fundraiser has been established to provide “immediate financial relief” to workers at multiple US airports, including Denver International Airport (DEN), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), and Dallas Love Field (DAL).
KARRYON UNPACKS: For Australians heading to the States, airport delays could worsen if staffing shortages continue. The ICE deployment at US airports could also complicate things further, potentially slowing travellers down and adding uncertainty to the airport experience over the coming weeks.
