ICE Agents to Be Deployed at Airports as Shutdown Continues, Tom Homan Says
ICE agents to be deployed at airports as shutdown continues, Tom Homan says, and the move starts Monday.
That announcement adds a new twist to the shutdown fight.
It also raises new questions about airport safety and immigration enforcement.
Homan shared the plan during a Sunday interview.
He said federal officials would finish the airport list that day.
Then, deployments would begin the next morning.
So, travelers may soon see ICE agents at major airports.
Why the Administration Wants ICE at Airports
The partial government shutdown has strained airport operations.
TSA staffing shortages have already caused long lines in many cities.
Because of that, the administration wants more federal help on site.
Homan said ICE agents could support some airport duties.
He also said they would not handle specialized screening jobs.
For example, they would not operate X-ray machines.
Instead, they could help with line management and crowd control.
That support could free TSA officers for more technical tasks.
Trump and Homan Push the Plan
President Donald Trump backed the idea over the weekend.
He accused Democrats of blocking proper airport security funding.
He also said ICE could do the job better than before.
Then, he publicly told ICE to get ready.
Homan echoed that urgency in his CNN interview.
He said officials were working fast to launch the plan.
That tone signaled a quick rollout, not a long review.
Enforcement Questions Spark Concern
Homan also said ICE agents would still conduct immigration enforcement at airports.
That comment immediately drew criticism.
Some local officials later tried to calm fears.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said federal officials described the mission differently.
He said they framed it as operational support for TSA.
According to Dickens, they did not describe it as an immigration crackdown.
Even so, confusion remains.
Critics Warn the Plan Could Backfire
Democrats strongly pushed back on the proposal.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called it dangerous.
He argued that ICE agents lack TSA training.
He also said airports are sensitive, crowded spaces.
So, he warned the deployment could create fear and chaos.
Supporters, however, say the plan could ease long wait times.
ICE agents to be deployed at airports as shutdown continues, Tom Homan says, and that decision may deepen both the travel crisis and the political fight.
