ICE at Airports: TSA Lines & Trump’s Deployment – Live Updates

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents began deploying to airports across the United States on Monday, March 23, 2026, as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wait times continue to lengthen amid a partial government shutdown, according to multiple reports.

President Donald Trump announced the deployment on social media, stating ICE agents would assist TSA employees who are working without pay due to the ongoing funding dispute in Congress. “On Monday, ICE will be going to airports to help our wonderful TSA Agents who have stayed on the job,” Trump wrote on March 22, adding that Democrats were “endangering the USA” by withholding funds.

At Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, at least two ICE agents were observed in Terminal 3 Monday morning, NBC Chicago reported. Two Homeland Security Investigations officers were also seen near a baggage claim exit in Terminal 1. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed “concerns about the deployment” and stated the city would “closely monitor” the situation to ensure safe travel for all, regardless of immigration status.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport also saw a presence of federal agents Monday morning, according to the Associated Press. O’Hare is expected to receive approximately 75 ICE officers over multiple shifts, while Midway Airport is not currently slated for deployment.

The move follows a weekend of internal scrambling within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement Trump’s directive, CBS News reported, citing multiple sources familiar with the deliberations. One DHS source stated, “I have no idea what we’re doing,” reflecting the lack of a clear plan following the President’s announcement.

White House border czar Tom Homan said he was working to coordinate the deployment, clarifying that ICE agents would not be operating X-ray machines but would focus on providing site security and potentially checking identification. Homan suggested this would free up TSA agents to concentrate on passenger and baggage screening.

The TSA has experienced significant staffing challenges during the shutdown, with over 400 employees having “separated” from the agency and more than 3,250 calling out sick on Saturday, March 22, marking the highest number of nationwide call-outs to date. The agency’s employees have been working without pay throughout the partial government shutdown.

It remains unclear whether the ICE deployment will be limited to assisting TSA with security duties or will also include immigration enforcement at airports, a possibility Trump alluded to in earlier statements, specifically mentioning potential actions against individuals from Somalia. Customs and Border Protection typically handles immigration control at airports.

As of Monday afternoon, the Department of Homeland Security had not issued further clarification regarding the scope of ICE’s mandate at airports.