ICE agents deployed to US airports: Which airports are affected? - Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera
March 24, 2026
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

ICE agents have been deployed to US airports as part of expanded enforcement operations.

How This Affects You

Airport travelers may face longer wait times and increased immigration screening during departure.

AI Summary

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been deployed to U.S. airports as part of enhanced immigration enforcement operations under the Trump administration. The deployment represents an expansion of ICE's presence at major transit hubs, where agents typically conduct immigration screening and enforcement activities. This move aligns with the administration's stated priority of intensified immigration enforcement at borders and interior checkpoints. The specific airports affected and the scale of the deployment would determine the operational impact on travelers and airport operations. Such deployments can increase processing times and intensify screening procedures for passengers, particularly those without citizenship documentation.

Source Coverage Map

19 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

Overlooked Story
44% coverage
Did Not Cover (24)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP Top News96Bellingcat95Reuters World95+19 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Other Sources Covering This Story

5 sources

Multiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Over a third of TSA officers called out at 3 major airports Tuesday amid partial shutdown
Government Transparency

Over a third of TSA officers called out at 3 major airports Tuesday amid partial shutdown

Travelers continue to face long lines at airports with no end to the partial government shutdown in sight. Atlanta was one of three major U.S. airports on Tuesday where more than one-third of TSA officers called out of work. In Philadelphia, flyers found three of six TSA checkpoints closed on Wednesday. Skyler Henry reports.

CBS NewsMar 19
Enhanced role for immigration officers at US airports as shutdown frustrates travels and screeners - AP News
Government Transparency

Enhanced role for immigration officers at US airports as shutdown frustrates travels and screeners - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqgFBVV95cUxPN21CRTVyRmVWajhQVTZQUE5Sb2FGZzZCVHg5cUJZZ09TYkNzOHhLYnMxWTB0R2F6NTBScGEyS1ltam4zWjVDcXAwV1g3TzVWVmpMOVBFM08xZGpRTlNzRlZpZFI5VlFiRC1mN3VsMmowaFB1anFFSmtuNlFfSkpERTVubWl1V1plZ0JIRC1KQmFmNnAzQUd5clpVQWxFV3RsUDRfMExJR2ctZw?oc=5" target="_blank">Enhanced role for immigration officers at US airports as shutdown frustrates travels and screeners</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 22
US says it may be forced to shut down some airports over funding standoff - Reuters
Government Transparency

US says it may be forced to shut down some airports over funding standoff - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxNWU9wb29WMnBiNjhGdUdPYjZLczZrODkwUFRyQkJxdHVVbFl4TW40YkVaYWVCR2hTelpCOG1SR3RDbVM1VzJ6V2RPNm9oN1didFpRMHJ4cWx5MmF6Y0VYRjdVMGFWc1JYTkdMNnd2VEdoa09mbWRSa0NITjhBNzIxOGZtc0R2NVZKT0FRZWNtRnZkaElCblZGYkU5ZTEzLXNiNjQ2NW1DNGxicG1jWW9jenpjajFOUQ?oc=5" target="_blank">US says it may be forced to shut down some airports over funding standoff</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 17
States seek to unmask federal immigration agents — and their own police - AP News
Government Transparency

States seek to unmask federal immigration agents — and their own police - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxQaG9JSVBSbXMzbEZYS1RnSzdWa1JDVlgya2ZnT1lrWkIyQVV1MU9ZUnpCWXJHWmV0c3Fyellkd19fb2lvVG5oeS1oaU9YTlllaTJTYTJDVGVBZkR2RWZJLTNBUl9Wc2RpVjNBUkNZanJrU2lPRmZ2eUxFVndQckliRHRIR1diZjU5SzR1UmhkRDhMOTRpcUtNSWpncGdKTURH?oc=5" target="_blank">States seek to unmask federal immigration agents — and their own police</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 19
FAA tightens safety rules for helicopters and planes around major airports
Government Transparency

FAA tightens safety rules for helicopters and planes around major airports

Regulators at the Federal Aviation Administration are tightening safety rules in congested airspace around major airports, suspending the use of visual separation between planes and helicopters.

NPRMar 18
How to monitor airport security lines at US airports while TSA officers go without pay - AP News
Government Transparency

How to monitor airport security lines at US airports while TSA officers go without pay - AP News

AP NewsMar 18
Read Next
ICE deployments created chaos for cities and cost them millions, NPR analysis finds
Government Transparency

ICE deployments created chaos for cities and cost them millions, NPR analysis finds

Local leaders report already-strapped police departments racked up overtime bills in the millions while others report a multi-million dollar hit to business during the worst ICE surges.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources