US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has come under intense criticism online after a video surfaced showing agents forcibly dragging a woman at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). According to NBC Bay Area, airport officials confirmed that an enforcement operation took place at the airport on Sunday.
The widely shared footage shows a distressed woman on her knees, visibly crying, before being pulled away by agents. The incident quickly sparked outrage across social media, with many questioning the conduct of the officers involved.
NBC clarified that the deportation action shown in the video is not connected to President Donald Trump’s recent announcement about deploying ICE personnel to multiple US airports to support operations amid staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
At the same time, President Trump addressed the role of ICE agents at airports, specifically commenting on whether they should wear masks. In a post on Truth Social, the 79-year-old said that he was “a BIG proponent of ICE wearing masks as they search for, and are forced to deal with, hardened criminals” but that he would “greatly appreciate, however, NO MASKS, when helping our Country out of the Democrat caused MESS at the airports.”
ICE detain mother at airport—traveling with young daughter.
— LongTime🤓FirstTime👨💻 (@LongTimeHistory) March 23, 2026
First reported kidnapping at airport since Trump ordered ICE agents to report—refuse to show ID.
"I don't know who you are!" witness yells.
"You could be someone kidnapping her!"
Agent continue to refuse to show ID… pic.twitter.com/oJ8dNGX6uH
The situation comes against the backdrop of a temporary government shutdown that has strained TSA staffing levels, causing disruptions to air travel across the United States. In response, the administration has begun deploying ICE agents to assist at airports starting Monday.
Border czar Tom Homan explained that ICE personnel would be assigned limited, non-specialised responsibilities.
“We’re simply there to help TSA do their job in areas that don’t need their specialized expertise such as screening through the X-ray machine,” Homan said on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday. “Not trained in that, won’t do that.”
ICE agents are expected to be stationed at several major airports, including Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to CNN.
Reuters reported that as many as 14 airports are included in the deployment plan, with cities such as Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, and Fort Myers also on the list. Meanwhile, officials at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport have advised travelers to arrive at least four hours early due to anticipated delays.
