ICE Officers to Assist TSA at Airports Amid Security Checkpoint Closures
The White House border czar, Tom Homan, stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers will not be directly involved in airport security measures but will assist Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees. Homan mentioned that ICE agents are not trained to operate X-ray machines but can help with specialized tasks to expedite security lines. President Trump announced that ICE officers would support TSA agents, with Homan overseeing the operation in collaboration with acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill. The plan aims to prioritize airports with the longest wait times as TSA employees continue to call out of work due to the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, resulting in security checkpoint closures at some airports. ICE officers, who are already present at many airports for criminal investigations, will now assist with security operations to alleviate TSA staff and reduce wait times. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's statement about ICE officers assisting with security operations at airports contrasts with Homan's remarks, emphasizing ICE's role in supporting TSA employees during this surge.