Trump Threatens Immigration Officers Involvement in Airport Security Amid Shutdown

Sat Mar 21 2026 21:06:34 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

President Trump announced plans to deploy federal immigration officers in airports if a funding agreement for the Department of Homeland Security is not reached, escalating tensions with Democrats over immigration enforcement amid ongoing government shutdown.

President Donald Trump has declared that he will temporarily assign U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to assist in airport security starting Monday, unless Congressional Democrats agree to a funding deal for the Department of Homeland Security. This move is intended to alleviate long wait times at major airports amidst the ongoing partial government shutdown. Trump's announcement follows heightened tensions regarding funding for DHS and immigration enforcement policies.

WASHINGTON (RTW) — President Donald Trump indicated on Saturday that he will involve federal immigration agents in airport security beginning Monday unless Congressional Democrats concede on a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The announcement comes as a partial government shutdown leads to significant delays in airport screenings, with long lines reported at several major airports. In posts on social media, Trump suggested that the involvement of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would extend the administration's focus on immigration enforcement to the airport setting, asserting his intent to arrest 'all Illegal Immigrants.'

“I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, 'GET READY.' NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!” Trump stated while spending time at his Florida residence.

The deployment of ICE agents appears to be a strategic move to push for immigration policy changes that have been contentious points in Congress. Democrats are refusing to support any legislation to fund the DHS unless specific adjustments are made, particularly following a controversial crackdown in Minnesota that resulted in the deaths of two protestors. They are demanding measures to ensure better accountability of federal law enforcement and more judicial oversight.

Trump connected the recent operation in Minnesota, which involved allegations of immigration fraud linked to Somali residents, to his planned airport actions, specifically stating that ICE would prioritize arrests of undocumented immigrants from Somalia. He criticized the Somali community, claiming they had 'totally destroyed' Minnesota.

“If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before,” he remarked.

Despite the majority of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees being deemed essential and continuing their duties without pay during the shutdown, absenteeism rates have begun to rise, with over 300 TSA employees leaving their posts since the partial shutdown began on February 14. The Senate recently rejected a motion proposed by Democrats aimed at funding the TSA and compensating unpaid workers, with discussions around DHS funding remaining gridlocked.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned that unless a resolution is swiftly reached, conditions at airports could worsen, urging both parties to cooperate.