Unpaid TSA Agents Call Out
Travelers are facing longer security lines at airports nationwide as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues, leaving Transportation Security Administration workers unpaid and absences rising. The shutdown, which began February 14, has left approximately 50,000 TSA staffers working without pay, considered essential workers.
Trump Threatens ICE Deployment
President Donald Trump threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to airports for security if Democrats do not agree to fund DHS. On Truth Social, Trump stated he would move ICE agents to airports to do "Security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country." He also said he told ICE to "GET READY" to deploy to airports on Monday. Trump specifically targeted immigrants from Somalia.
Congressional Gridlock Persists
Senate Democrats blocked a standalone TSA funding bill, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer claiming it is unacceptable to only pay TSA workers if it is attached to a bill that funds ICE with no reforms. Senate Republicans, in turn, blocked Schumer's effort. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) proposed splitting off ICE and Customs and Border Protection from the rest of DHS funding to end airport chaos. Democrats are demanding reforms to ICE, including requiring agents to obtain a warrant before forcefully entering homes.
The sources report that Democrats are demanding ICE agents wear identifying information on uniforms and ban masks, and that the Trump administration agreed to expanded body-worn cameras (except undercover operations) and limited enforcement at hospitals, schools, and places of worship.
Airport Impacts Worsen
New Orleans's Louis Armstrong International Airport advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before their scheduled departures. In Philadelphia, airport officials closed three security checkpoints entirely this week due to short staffing. More than half of TSA staff in Houston called out sick, while nearly a third called out in Atlanta and New Orleans last week, according to DHS data.
Travel Industry Concerns Mount
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the situation could worsen if the shutdown is not resolved. He stated that a second missed paycheck would put even more strain on TSA workers, and some smaller airports may be forced to temporarily close if more staff calls out. Airlines for America projected 2.8 million people would travel on U.S. airlines each day in March and April, totaling a record 171 million passengers. United Airlines said it would cut some flights over the next six months after jet fuel prices doubled in recent weeks.
Travelers Advised to Prepare
Travel experts advise passengers to check airport websites for estimated security wait times and budget extra time. Chris Dong, a travel writer, noted that uncertainty is higher now with the shutdown, even if wait times are listed as short. Clint Henderson, a spokesperson for The Points Guy, recommends considering biometric screening and signing up for TSA PreCheck or the Global Entry program.
Potential Solutions Emerge
Billionaire Elon Musk offered to pay the salaries of TSA personnel during the funding impasse. U.S. law generally bars government employees from receiving outside compensation for their work. Pittsburgh International Airport partnered with a local food bank to help TSA agents and some other federal workers affected by the government shutdown.
Standoff Nears Critical Point
Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated that it would be "very, very hard to explain if we leave town this next week without having funded the Department of Homeland Security," given that lawmakers are scheduled to leave Washington, D.C., for a two-week break at the end of next week.
The sources also report that Trump specifically mentioned an emphasis on Somalian immigrants in his threat to deploy ICE agents to airports.