Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have started to appear at US airports, where the ongoing partial government shutdown affecting Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents is causing delays for travelers.
The Department of Homeland Security has chosen not to disclose which airports are utilizing ICE officers to support TSA agents, citing reasons related to operational security.
ICE officers have been sent to 14 airports, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, John F Kennedy International Airport in New York, and others.
According to White House border czar Tom Homan, federal officers are present to assist Americans in navigating security lines that have been extended due to the Democrats' decision to shut down the federal government.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons remarked that federal officers "are going to make sure those lines move."
However, leaders from the Flight Attendant Union are insisting that TSA agents receive compensation, as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has cautioned that delays for travelers navigating security lines will only worsen if the government shutdown persists.
