ICE officers could remain at airports after TSA workers are paid - NPR

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers may continue operating at airports even after Transportation Security Administration workers receive their salaries, according to reporting that clarifies the operational structure during potential government funding disruptions. The distinction matters because TSA and ICE, while both present at airports, operate under different authorities and funding mechanisms—TSA screens passengers while ICE handles immigration enforcement. This means that even if TSA operations were to be affected by a lapse in government funding, immigration enforcement functions could theoretically continue, though the practical implications would depend on broader policy decisions by the Trump administration. The clarification addresses confusion about how airport security and immigration operations would be prioritized during any budget or staffing crisis. The distinction underscores the complex layering of federal agencies at major transportation hubs and how disruptions to one may not automatically halt all airport functions.