ATLANTA (RTW News) — Federal immigration officers have been actively present at an airport in Atlanta after President Donald Trump declared he would send agents to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This move comes in light of ongoing government shutdowns, which have led to extensive delays and long lines at security checkpoints nationwide.
Early Monday, several federal agents were spotted by RTW News near the busy security lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a crucial hub for air travel.
Typically, federal agents are common at international airports, where Customs and Border Protection officers conduct screenings for arriving passengers, while Homeland Security Investigations agents tackle criminal activities related to smuggling and trafficking.
However, the current approach is unusual as federal immigration officers were seen directly at TSA security checkpoints—a responsibility conventionally borne by TSA personnel.
President Trump articulated his intent on Sunday to mobilize federal immigration officials to enhance airport security amidst escalating congestion caused by the TSA’s operational challenges.
