ICE Agents Deploy to US Airports Monday as DHS Shutdown Enters Sixth Week; TSA Staffing Crisis Deepens

ICE agents will deploy to major airports starting March 23 to assist with security screening as the DHS shutdown enters its sixth week. Over 400 TSA officers have quit and thousands more are calling out due to nonpayment, with wait times exceeding 2.5 hours at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and 150 minutes at Houston Bush Intercontinental. Agents will wear marked ICE gear for crowd control, though scope of immigration enforcement at airports remains unclear. The shutdown stems from Democratic opposition to DHS funding absent restrictions on ICE operations following fatal shootings in Minneapolis.