Is ICE getting paid? Officers report to airports amid DHS shutdown
During a partial DHS shutdown, ICE agents were deployed to airports nationwide while TSA workers continued to miss pay, highlighting a funding disparity that has left aviation security strained. ICE benefits from a dedicated funding stream that keeps officers paid, even as TSA staffing tightens and morale dips. The move drew criticism from TSA unions who warn that untrained personnel cannot replace specialized security screening. Lawmakers signaled progress toward a deal before spring break, as discussions focus on restoring pay and keeping air travel disruption to a minimum. Public scrutiny intensified as images of ICE presence circulated online, underscoring the political sensitivity of the staffing showdown.
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President Trump ordered ICE agents into airports on March 23 to bolster airport security as TSA workers remained unpaid during the partial shutdown, prompting public scrutiny of who is paid and when.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act funds immigration enforcement through 2029, delivering about $170 billion to ICE and enabling continued pay during the shutdown, in contrast to the funding pressures facing TSA.
DHS reported that more than 400 TSA officers have resigned and thousands more called out due to costs like gas, childcare, and rent, intensifying the strain on passenger screening operations.
TSA union leaders, including Everett Kelley of the American Federation of Government Employees, argued that ICE personnel are not trained for aviation security and that deploying untrained staff could compromise checkpoint safety and effectiveness.
Lawmakers in late March indicated momentum toward a deal to end the DHS shutdown before Congress' spring break, even as President Trump signaled dissatisfaction with potential negotiations.
Photos and videos of ICE presence at airports circulated widely on social media, fueling debate over pay disparities and the appropriate distribution of essential personnel during a funding lapse.
The situation raises questions about the sustainability of current staffing models and the timeline for restoring full pay equity and operating capacity at national airports.