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TSA Staffing Shortage Triggers Multi-Hour Airport Lines — Atlanta Urges 4-Hour Early Arrival

ICE officers are providing crowd control support at checkpoints after airports suspended live wait-time feeds.

Overview

  • ICE agents were deployed to more than a dozen airports for crowd control, with border czar Tom Homan saying they will fill gaps rather than replace TSA screening duties.
  • The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA criticized the ICE deployment, describing the move as an invasion.
  • Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental reported 150–200 minute waits at its two open terminals, and the airport warned lines could exceed four hours.
  • New Orleans recorded three-hour waits that extended into a parking structure and urged passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure.
  • TSA absenteeism surged to an 11.7% callout rate with about 3,450 agents out and more than 400 resignations reported since the funding lapse began, while Atlanta and JFK halted live wait-time reporting.