ICE agents face public backlash at airports after Trump orders deployment to ease TSA crisis

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY: Unmasked officers from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) found themselves at the center of tense scenes inside major airports after being deployed to assist struggling Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff during the ongoing DHS shutdown crisis.

The move, announced by Donald Trump on Sunday, March 22, came as thousands of TSA workers continued to operate without pay following a partial government shutdown that began in February.

Travelers confront ICE agents as tensions spill into terminals

Footage from airports, including Newark Liberty, showed some travelers directly confronting ICE agents as they carried out their duties.

In one widely circulated clip, a woman shouted at officers across a baggage claim area, “Go back to your master, Donald Trump, go back to your master!”

She continued, “And Netanyahu, if he’s still alive, go back to your master!” referencing Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

Other videos showed passengers following agents through terminals, pointing cameras at them and attempting to call them out publicly.

At the same time, not all interactions were hostile. Some clips captured travelers thanking officers and even shaking their hands, highlighting a clear divide in public reaction.

ICE deployment comes as TSA staff struggle without pay

The decision to send ICE agents into airports followed mounting pressure on TSA operations.

Security workers missed their first full paycheck in March after funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lapsed on February 13. Since then, the strain has been building.

Hundreds of TSA employees have called out sick, leaving airports short-staffed at a time when passenger numbers remain high.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, absentee rates surged over the weekend, reaching their highest levels since the shutdown began five weeks ago.

In some major hubs, including New York City, Houston, and Atlanta, more than a third of TSA staff were absent or reported sick, worsening delays and increasing pressure on those still working.

Airports nationwide affected by staffing crisis

ICE agents were deployed Monday across roughly 13 airports in an effort to fill the gaps.

The list includes major travel hubs such as Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, Cleveland, Houston Hobby, Fort Myers, New Orleans, New York JFK, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, and San Juan in Puerto Rico.

These locations have been among the hardest hit by staffing shortages, with long lines and operational challenges becoming more common.

The crisis has also pushed some TSA workers to leave their jobs altogether. Reports indicate that at least 400 agents have turned in their badges in the past month, indicating how difficult conditions have become.

Shutdown standoff continues to fuel disruption

The bigger issue stems from an ongoing political standoff in Washington.

The partial government shutdown has left tens of thousands of federal workers without pay, as lawmakers remain divided over funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

Democrats, along with some Republicans, have resisted approving the department’s budget, pointing to concerns over immigration enforcement policies.

They have called for reforms to ICE and border patrol operations before agreeing to new funding.