NewKerala.com

Trump Threatens ICE Airport Deployment Amid DHS Funding Impasse

President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to provide airport security amid a prolonged Department of Homeland Security funding impasse. The shutdown has left approximately 50,000 TSA officers working without pay since mid-February, causing severe security checkpoint delays exceeding three hours at major hubs. A House-passed funding bill failed in the Senate due to bipartisan disagreement over immigration enforcement policies. Concurrently, a Democratic lawmaker has introduced legislation aimed at reversing a Trump proclamation imposing strict wage rules and fees on H-1B visa sponsors.

Key Points: Trump Threatens ICE Airport Security Over DHS Funding

  • DHS funding shutdown drags past a month
  • 50,000 TSA officers working without pay
  • Major airports face 3+ hour security waits
  • Bipartisan immigration dispute stalls bill
  • Legislation introduced to reverse H-1B visa rules
2 min read

Trump threatens to deploy ICE agents for airport security over funding impasse

President Trump threatens to deploy ICE agents to airports as TSA officers work unpaid amid a DHS funding shutdown, causing major delays.

"I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before. - Donald Trump"

Washington, March 22

US President Donald Trump threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to provide security at airports amid an ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which has dragged on for more than a month and left regular security personnel going unpaid.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that if Democrats did not "immediately sign an agreement," "I will move our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports where they will do Security like no one has ever seen before."

The US Senate on Friday failed to advance a House-passed bill to fund the DHS due to bipartisan disagreement over immigration enforcement, Xinhua news agency reported.

About 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have been working without pay since February 14, when the US Congress let funding for the DHS, which oversees the TSA, expire over a disagreement on immigration enforcement. Major US airports are seeing long lines at security checkpoints, with security wait time exceeding three hours in some cases. Hardest-hit airports include those in Houston, Atlanta and New Orleans.

Over the last five weeks, negotiations between the two parties on immigration enforcement have shown little progress. Republicans have pushed to fund DHS, while Democrats have sought standalone funding for agencies like TSA that would exclude immigration operations.

Earlier in March, a Democratic lawmaker has introduced a legislation in the US House of Representatives seeking to nullify President Trump's proclamation that imposed strict wage requirements and steep fees on employers hiring H-1B visa workers.

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced the measure, titled the Welcoming International Success Act, aimed at reversing the September 2025 proclamation that mandated rigid wage levels and imposed a $100,000 fee on employers sponsoring H-1B workers .

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The part about the H-1B visa proclamation is very concerning for the Indian tech community. The $100,000 fee is exorbitant! Glad to see some pushback with the Welcoming International Success Act. Our professionals contribute so much to the US economy.
R
Rohit P
Using ICE for airport security? That seems like using a hammer to swat a fly. They have a specific mandate. This funding impasse shows how broken the system is when both sides can't agree on basic governance. Feel bad for the unpaid workers. 😔
S
Sarah B
Watching from India, it's a reminder that political dysfunction isn't unique to any one nation. However, the direct impact on skilled worker visas (H-1B) is something we should monitor closely, as it affects thousands of Indian families and companies.
V
Vikram M
The article mentions "bipartisan disagreement" but it reads like pure political stubbornness. Security personnel are not pawns. Hope they find a middle path. On a separate note, the H-1B fee reversal is a positive step if it passes.
K
Karthik V
Three-hour security lines in Houston and Atlanta? That's insane! I have a cousin flying to Dallas next week. He should be prepared for chaos. The core issue seems to be linking DHS funding to immigration politics, which is holding everything hostage.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50