Officials scramble to carry out Trump's directive on ICE agents at airports

CBS News
March 22, 2026
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2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Trump orders ICE agents to assist TSA at airports as security delays worsen amid DHS shutdown.

How This Affects You

You may encounter ICE agents during airport screening; security waits continue to lengthen as unpaid TSA staff shortages persist.

AI Summary

President Trump has directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to assist Transportation Security Administration personnel at airports to address mounting security delays and staffing shortages. The directive deploys ICE resources to support screening operations, marking an expansion of immigration enforcement presence in civilian airport terminals where TSA typically handles security checkpoints. The move reflects the administration's effort to address operational strain at major airports while integrating border security priorities into domestic travel infrastructure. Officials are now working to implement the directive across airport systems nationwide, though the scope and specific deployment timeline remain unclear.

What's Being Done

Officials are implementing Trump's directive to deploy ICE agents to support TSA operations.

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