Immigration Enforcement — 2026-03-25
DHS Shutdown Hits Day 40; TSA Warns Some Airports May Close as Callout Rates Exceed 40%
The DHS partial shutdown entered its 40th day with TSA acting administrator warning that airport closures may become necessary as officer callout rates exceed 40% at multiple facilities. Over 480 TSOs have resigned; wait times surpass four hours at peak airports. TSA officers are missing their second full paycheck, with some sleeping in cars and selling plasma. Congressional testimony detailed nationwide operational degradation. A bipartisan deal to fund 94% of DHS while excluding ICE enforcement remained stalled after Democrats sent a counterproposal.
Analysis
The convergence of the DHS shutdown with the LaGuardia crash investigation creates compounding aviation safety risk. ATC staffing shortages and TSA operational degradation are simultaneous. The 40% callout rate at some airports approaches the threshold where screening lanes close entirely, not just slow down.
The convergence of the DHS shutdown with the LaGuardia crash investigation creates compounding aviation safety risk. ATC staffing shortages and TSA operational degradation are simultaneous. The 40% callout rate at some airports approaches the threshold where screening lanes close entirely, not just slow down.