Travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport faced significant delays on Friday, March 20, 2026, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown entered its sixth day, impacting Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations nationwide.
According to CNN reporting, the impasse between Democrats and Republicans over President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda continues to fuel the shutdown. Democrats are refusing to support any DHS funding bill that does not include a “significant overhaul” to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), citing concerns over the agency’s operations. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey stated, “I think Republicans necessitate to pay TSA workers,” adding, “This chaos is Donald Trump and congressional Republicans who are doing nothing to pay these exceptionally loyal government workers.”
The shutdown is directly affecting TSA staffing levels. The Department of Homeland Security reported a spike in callouts, with Houston Hobby International Airport experiencing a callout rate of 55% on March 14, 2026. Nationwide, callout rates have increased, and 366 TSA officers have left the agency, exacerbating staffing shortages. Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis stated that the shutdown is causing “unneeded financial hardship” for TSA officers and their families.
The impact on travelers is becoming increasingly apparent. Callouts spiked over 50% in Houston and over 30% in New Orleans and Atlanta on March 15 and 16, resulting in fewer officers available to screen passengers. Reports indicate that some airports are experiencing security lines exceeding three hours, causing passengers to miss flights. CNN is tracking TSA security wait times at 16 major airports, including Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Denver.
The shutdown has also impacted other DHS programs. The Global Entry program has been suspended, potentially causing difficulties for registered travelers. However, the TSA PreCheck program remains operational, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
As of Friday afternoon, neither party has signaled a willingness to compromise. Democrats, including Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, have linked the airport delays directly to the administration’s policies, stating that concerns about ICE operations are not related to airport efficiency. “ICE being able to wear masks…to be able to shoot people in broad daylight with no accountability. That is not helping reduce lines at the airport,” Warren told CNN.
The DHS has not issued a statement responding to Senator Warren’s comments. The White House has yet to announce further negotiations, and the shutdown continues.
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