Filmmaker Tyler Perry donates $250K in gift cards to unpaid TSA officers at Atlanta airport

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Filmmaker Tyler Perry has stepped up to support TSA workers at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport by donating $250,000 in gift cards to help them deal with the financial strain caused by the ongoing partial government shutdown. 

This contribution comes as thousands of federal employees face hardship, having worked without paychecks since the funding lapse began in mid-February.

Tyler Perry donates gift cards to TSA workers

Atlanta-based director, Tyler Perry,  personally provided $1,000 gift cards to 250 TSA officers working at the city's major airport on Friday, March 27. 

Because federal employees are subject to strict rules regarding receiving gifts, the donation had to undergo a legal process.

Aaron Barker, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 554 union, representing TSA officers in Georgia confirmed that the process was strictly followed. 

Barker told PEOPLE that “It went through the legal process through TSA.” 

What is happening at the airports?

The situation for TSA employees has become increasingly dire since the partial government shutdown began on February 14. 

With funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cut off, many officers have been forced into desperate circumstances, with reports of some sleeping in their cars or selling blood and plasma to pay for basic necessities. 

So far, over 480 officers have resigned because they cannot afford to continue working without a paycheck. 

The agency reported earlier this week that TSA workers have collectively missed nearly $1 billion in pay. 

This financial strain has led to a callout rate of 40 to 50% at major airports, resulting in massive security lines and long wait times for travelers across the country. 

Trump to sign order to pay TSA agents immediately

While Congress has struggled to reach a deal to end the shutdown, there has been a push for emergency measures to help federal workers. 

Early morning on Friday, March 27, the Senate voted on a measure to fund the DHS, but the proposal failed after it was rejected by the House. 

However President Trump announced on Thursday, March 26, via Truth Social, that he would take executive action to resolve the issue. 

He directed the newly sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary, Markwayne Mullin, to “immediately pay our TSA Agents in order to address this Emergency Situation.” 

This order aims to use pre-existing funds to pay the agents. If the plan moves forward as scheduled, TSA employees could begin seeing their missing paychecks as early as Monday, March 30.