HOUSTON – Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are now working alongside TSA officers at Houston-area airports, but exactly what they’re doing—and how much authority they have—remains unclear.
Passengers at William P. Hobby Airport told KPRC 2 they’ve noticed the increased presence and have mixed reactions.
On Monday, ICE agents—some wearing Homeland Security Investigations vests—were seen inside Hobby Airport walking through terminals and assisting travelers.
The presence comes as the partial government shutdown continues to impact TSA staffing, raising concerns about long lines and delays. Some travelers arriving hours ahead of their flights say they aren’t taking any chances.
“We’ve been here since about, probably like 12, like 11:40. Yeah, yeah, like 11:40, and we leave at 6:45,” said Janai Martinez.
KPRC 2 sent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a list of specific questions about ICE’s role at airports—including what duties agents are performing, whether they are interacting with passengers, whether they will reduce wait times, and whether they can detain someone with a warrant.
DHS did not directly answer several of those questions. Instead, officials said ICE agents are being deployed to support the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) during staffing shortages. Officials also said ICE agents are not part of the TSA screening process. However, DHS did not provide details on exactly what those agents are doing inside airports.
Travelers at Hobby Airport shared a wide range of opinions about seeing ICE agents on site.
“How are we at a war and we’re not securing our airports?” one traveler asked.
“I feel like they are just scaring people because no one wants to see ICE here,” one woman said.
“We need to pay our TSA agents. Do whatever it takes. They can pay for other stuff, so why not them?” said Seth Saldivar.
“The world… we’ve been through these things before over the years. It’s just one of those things that you deal with. Move on, pack your patience when you travel, and be kind,” said Lori Evans.
Around lunchtime, wait times at Hobby Airport were under 12 minutes. But whether ICE agents are helping keep those lines moving remains unclear. DHS did not directly answer KPRC 2’s question about whether ICE agents will reduce wait times. Instead, officials pointed to staffing challenges—particularly at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. According to DHS, nearly 40 percent of TSA officers called out at Bush Airport, making it one of the hardest-hit major airports in the country.
One traveler said he experienced the impact firsthand. “People were getting upset or getting out of control. It was chaos,” Saldivar said.
Another key question still unanswered: what authority ICE agents have inside airports. KPRC 2 specifically asked DHS whether ICE agents can detain someone at the airport, including individuals with warrants. That question was not addressed. DHS also declined to say exactly where ICE agents are stationed, citing operational security.
KPRC 2 also reached out to the TSA union for insight on how the presence of ICE agents is impacting officers on the ground.
For now, federal officials maintain ICE agents are at airports strictly to support TSA operations. Travelers are still encouraged to arrive early, check with their airline for updates, and prepare for possible delays.