Some travelers navigate TSA wait times as long as 6 hours as ICE agents are sent to airports

CBS News
March 24, 2026
3 min read

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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.

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