Overview
- DHS said hundreds of ICE personnel began reporting to major hubs including Atlanta, the New York–area airports, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, New Orleans, Pittsburgh and San Juan, with a CNN-listed roster of 13 sites that officials say may evolve.
- White House border czar Tom Homan called the rollout a work in progress and said agents would staff exits, manage lines and assist with IDs rather than operate X-ray machines or conduct TSA screening.
- Travel disruptions persist as TSA callouts reached their highest levels, more than 400 officers have quit since mid-February, and some airports reported multi-hour waits and reduced checkpoint services.
- The plan drew objections from the TSA union, Democrats and some Republicans who say ICE lacks aviation-security training and could heighten tensions, with AFGE’s Everett Kelley and Sen. Lisa Murkowski voicing concerns.
- ICE personnel are being paid under separate appropriations while many TSA workers are unpaid, and President Trump urged ICE not to wear masks in airports and highlighted potential arrests, fueling civil-liberties worries.