US President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to airports across the United States amid an ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
The warning comes as the government shutdown has left many Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers unpaid, leading to staff shortages, delays, and disruptions at major airports.
Trump said ICE agents could be sent to take over airport security duties if lawmakers particularly Democrats do not reach an agreement to fund security operations.
However, the proposal has raised legal and political concerns, as ICE agents are not primarily trained for airport screening roles, and their authority to operate in such settings is limited under current laws.
Critics, including civil liberties groups, warn that deploying ICE at airports could lead to increased immigration enforcement actions and potential rights violations, while supporters argue it may help address immediate security gaps caused by the shutdown.
The situation highlights growing tensions in Washington over immigration policy, national security, and funding for federal agencies, as the shutdown continues to impact essential services like air travel.