US President Donald Trump on Saturday (March 22) announced that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will be deployed to major airports across the country starting Monday. The decision marks a significant escalation in the ongoing funding standoff involving the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has pushed aviation security operations toward a critical breaking point.
“On Monday, ICE will be going to airports to help our wonderful TSA agents who have stayed on the job despite the fact that the Radical Left Democrats, who are only focused on protecting hardline criminals who have entered our country illegally, are endangering the USA by holding back the money that was long ago agreed to with signed and sealed contracts, and all,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
The directive comes as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) grapples with a severe staffing shortage. Since the partial shutdown of DHS began on February 14, more than 300 TSA officers have resigned, while unscheduled absences—known as “call-outs”—have surged at major airport hubs, including Atlanta, Houston, and New York’s JFK.
Airport security in the United States is overseen by the TSA, while ICE is responsible for immigration enforcement. Both agencies operate under the Department of Homeland Security.
Senate Democrats withdrew their support for DHS funding following the fatal shootings of protesters Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents in Minneapolis in January. They have since refused to back a full funding bill unless it includes stricter reforms, such as requiring judicial warrants for ICE operations and banning agents from wearing face masks.
Trump also criticised Democrats, calling them “lunatics,” and asserted they would continue to attack ICE regardless of its performance, while confirming that Border Czar Tom Homan will oversee the effort.
“No matter how great a job ICE does, the lunatics leading the incompetent Dems will be highly critical of their work. THEY WILL DO A FANTASTIC JOB. The great Tom Homan is in charge!!!,” Trump added.
ICE has remained a central component of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, though its actions have drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, civil liberties groups, and immigration advocates.
