Some travelers navigate TSA wait times as long as 6 hours as ICE agents are sent to airports
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
ICE deployment to 14 U.S. airports coincides with severe TSA staffing shortages, creating security wait times up to six hours.
How This Affects You
Travelers face extreme airport security delays up to six hours due to reduced TSA capacity and ICE agent deployments, affecting air travel schedules and passenger throughput.
AI Summary
The Trump administration has deployed ICE and other Department of Homeland Security agents to 14 U.S. airports, a move occurring as major travel hubs experience severe congestion from TSA staffing shortages. Travelers at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport have endured wait times stretching as long as six hours, while security lines at Atlanta's airport have extended outside terminal buildings. The deployment reflects the administration's broader immigration enforcement priorities, though the timing coincides with operational strain on airport security screening. The combination of reduced TSA capacity and the addition of ICE agents to airport facilities has created bottlenecks that are directly impacting passenger throughput during peak travel periods.
Source Coverage Map
19 of 43 tracked sources covered this story
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
Other Sources Covering This Story
5 sourcesMultiple outlets have reported on this story. Compare perspectives from different sources.
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
Government TransparencyTravelers face Friday rush and unpredictable airport wait times as TSA officers go unpaid - CNN
Government TransparencyOver 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.
Government TransparencyWhere will TSA lines be the longest tomorrow? During a shutdown, nobody knows - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxQS3FIUnl0enJhYUNVNDBoVUVjWDV5MVlpTzBzR1NGeFpmdjBXX2tGbDZzcjZlcVRkaHh0NGxjZVlkcThiUkpsTm9Vd25rVDlzcE1xUmhTalViVGNaQldjUjR2TnFBUGpKSnVYemNKdUJKTzg5RzdjMThIQU5HVTVwcUJGdXlDc1RYSzhqX3BCSVRTbGZkdjlTTkpkeG93NDZ2Znc?oc=5" target="_blank">Where will TSA lines be the longest tomorrow? During a shutdown, nobody knows</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
FinanceUS securities regulator issues long-awaited crypto guidance - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxQRmJ5TFZYemJLX0tlTEdNa0Y5XzBOTmtOVHhXQUltaHBxMkNRY19aazhSdXg3QUctWWdJTFk5bk42Rll5UHNXdURpdFRCYVluOWFZNDNQU3hEWllMbHRCRjdiSnM1YXEyR2ZqaXU2ZkVwRnRObUwzUEhJbW1GUGJrbHlibTQ3RXBnemx2bnZCLWZfMGpKb2hyS2llalJZNTk3NWlZ?oc=5" target="_blank">US securities regulator issues long-awaited crypto guidance</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
FinanceJet fuel prices and airfares are rising. Travelers are still booking flights, US airlines say - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxNdUpPY1lqQnFiXzJMRnFnbGxtQmlkWVItUUVoYVZ3TkRuOVZ6QjRmX1Zjc09UX1BCdTlWeWZISnVucmd3YjZkTUgzN2taUmFJaEUtdFVaMEZIU1pCdHNlRUNZY3pSMGZKazIwX1RFYnMxNS1rc3VnVy1pMk1MM3ZyU2RjQXAxRDUwcFNoSw?oc=5" target="_blank">Jet fuel prices and airfares are rising. Travelers are still booking flights, US airlines say</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
GlobalBTS will stage a long-awaited comeback concert at a Seoul landmark - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqwFBVV95cUxQelNRZHUzLWhrU25jT1NYY25vMVNVYTlzeXlVT1FzX05tWXNNU2dmZC1hMEhjMEJwa2hkZWN1RlM4VW5iYm01dE1kaWxOTkVnMUZRVERLUE8yNDg1MEhNMmdpUHVnSGFJU3daTTItWlRHeHdkaVRjSURFR05xSHoxTEpCVlBLVEN3dW9HVG1wYjZ2RWZ0QjAtcnZxMFY0MkY4MGRTTUZFYVZucXc?oc=5" target="_blank">BTS will stage a long-awaited comeback concert at a Seoul landmark</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

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.
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.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Fentanyl found inside Barbies sold at Missouri discount store, police say

White House registers new ‘alien’-related .gov domains as DOD tackles Trump’s disclosure directive

Kash Patel admits under oath FBI is buying location data on Americans

US moves to soften capital rules: ‘Big banks can declare mission accomplished’

The West's historic snow drought could bring water shortages, wildfires






