Border czar Tom Homan said ICE will not operate X-ray machines|Gage Skidmore|CC BY-SA 2.0
Border czar Tom Homan is leading a plan to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports on Monday as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown disrupts travel nationwide.
The move comes as the shutdown enters its sixth week and the shortage of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers deepens. Unpaid TSA staff are struggling to keep operations running, and over 400 have quit.
President Donald Trump said the deployment will support TSA, as limited staffing has led to hours-long security lines at major airports.
While Homan said ICE will not operate X-ray machines, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy suggested they could take on broader support roles if needed.
Critics raised concerns. The American Federation of Government Employees warned that ICE agents lack aviation security training, while the American Civil Liberties Union said their presence could create fear among travelers.
Meanwhile, lawmakers remain deadlocked on funding, raising fears of even longer delays and worsening airport chaos ahead.