Trump to Send ICE Agents to Airports Monday
Photo Credit: A busy terminal at Tampa International Airport. Tampa International Airport. / Tampa International Airport.
Skift Take
Even without a direct role in screening, a visible ICE presence at airports risks adding new friction to an already fragile inbound travel environment.
The Trump administration said it will deploy ICE agents to U.S. airports starting Monday to support TSA operations, as staffing shortages during the partial government shutdown continue to strain security checkpoints.
Border czar Tom Homan, who is in charge of the initiative, said in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union” that ICE agents would assist with exits at security checkpoints so TSA agents could focus on screenings to reduce long lines at the airport.
“I don’t see an ICE agent looking at an x-ray machine because they’re not trained in that,” Homan said on CNN. “This is about helping TSA do their mission and get the American public through that airport as quick as they can while adhering to all the security guidelines and the
