HOUSTON, Texas – Travelers heading to the airport may soon notice a larger federal presence inside terminals, as immigration officers are being deployed to help with security staffing shortages across the country.
The move comes during the ongoing Department of Homeland Security funding standoff, which has led to fewer TSA officers on duty and longer wait times at major airports.
Federal officials discussed sending immigration officers to airports to help with tasks such as monitoring entrances, exits, or checking identification, not conducting the actual screening process.
Now, reports for CNN confirm that the plan involves multiple airports nationwide, not just one region, as officials try to prevent major travel disruptions during the shutdown.
Airports where ICE agents could be deployed
According to CNN and other national reports, immigration officers are being sent to at least 14 major U.S. airports, including:
- Chicago-O’Hare International Airport
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York)
- LaGuardia Airport (New York)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
- Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
- Newark Liberty International Airport
- Philadelphia International Airport
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Pittsburgh International Airport
- Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers, Florida)
Officials said the list could change depending on staffing needs and travel volume.
Why ICE agents are being used
The deployment comes as thousands of TSA workers continue working without pay during the shutdown, leading to increased absences and longer lines at checkpoints.
Officials say immigration officers may help with:
- Crowd control
- Monitoring exit lanes
- Checking IDs before screening
- Other non-screening duties
The goal is to allow trained TSA officers to focus on security screening and keep lines moving.
Some lawmakers and federal employee groups have raised concerns, saying immigration officers are not trained for aviation security and their presence could create tension for travelers already frustrated by long waits.
For now, travelers flying out of Houston should plan ahead, arrive early, and check airport wait times before leaving for the airport, especially as staffing shortages continue to affect airports nationwide.