No ICE at San Diego Airport During National TSA Support Deployment

Long lines snaked through Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport on Monday, March 23, 2026, as travelers faced extended wait times during a spring break travel surge compounded by the ongoing partial government shutdown. Despite a pledge from President Trump to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), no ICE personnel were present at the San Diego airport as of Tuesday.

The shutdown has left roughly 50,000 TSA employees working without pay, contributing to increased absenteeism and staffing shortages nationwide, according to federal officials. The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority issued a travel advisory Sunday, and the airport itself encouraged passengers to plan ahead, suggesting arrival at least two hours before their scheduled flight. Airport spokeswoman Nicole Hall stated that checkpoint wait times and flight scheduling are subject to the operations of federal and airline partners, which are being affected by the shutdown.

While ICE agents were deployed to 14 other airports across the country – including major hubs in Atlanta, Chicago, and New York – San Diego was not initially included in the list. The deployment effort is being led by border czar Tom Homan, according to federal officials. Acting Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Lauren Bis stated that the ICE deployment was a response to the “Democrat shutdown” and aimed to aid American travelers facing lengthy delays.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declined to confirm specific airport locations for ICE deployments, citing “operational security reasons.” Hall noted that the airport had received no prior information regarding potential ICE deployment, as DHS operates independently and may not inform airports in advance. Travelers reported wait times of up to an hour on Monday morning, though these decreased to more normal levels by the afternoon.

Some local officials have expressed reservations about the administration’s decision to utilize ICE agents at airports. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that a top TSA official at San Diego International Airport also voiced concerns. DHS, in a statement, blamed Democrats for the situation, but did not address specific questions about the San Diego airport.

As of Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security had not responded to inquiries regarding a potential future deployment of ICE agents to San Diego International Airport.