Trump Threatens Airport Security Over Immigration Funding Standoff

Sat Mar 21 2026 21:43:10 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

President Trump announces plans to deploy ICE officers to airport security, citing partial government shutdown and immigration policies.

Amid increasing airport wait times due to a government shutdown, President Trump has threatened to put U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at airports unless Democrats agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The move signals a significant shift in immigration enforcement, targeting illegal immigrants, particularly from Somalia. Talks between Democratic and Republican senators continue as the situation escalates.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that he will direct federal immigration officers to take a role in airport security starting Monday if Democrats fail to finalize a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

In a series of social media posts, Trump reiterated his threat and outlined steps to deploy ICE agents to airports, as rising wait times at screenings have frustrated travelers amid a partial government shutdown.

Trump indicated that ICE agents would enhance the administration’s crackdown on immigration, reassuring supporters by saying he would ensure all Illegal Immigrants are arrested.

“I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, 'GET READY.' NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!” Trump proclaimed while relaxing in Florida.

This announcement appears to intensify the ongoing congressional deadlock over immigration reform and DHS funding. Democrats have pledged to resist any attempts to fund DHS without significant changes following a controversial operation in Minnesota, which led to two protester deaths. They are seeking better identification protocols for federal law enforcement officers and a new conduct code among other reforms.

Recent operations in Minnesota raised concerns of fraud related to immigrant communities, particularly affecting Somalis. Trump stated that ICE’s focus at airports would include enforcing immigration laws against undocumented residents from Somalia, whom he accused of having severely impacted 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, Trump asserted.

While TSA employees are categorized as essential and continue to fulfill their duties without pay, complaints regarding rising wait times and employee call-outs have been highlighted. Over 370 TSA employees have resigned during the shutdown since it commenced on February 14.

Amid this chaos, the Senate recently rejected a proposal from Democrats aimed at resuming TSA operations and compensating unpaid workers. Republicans are insisting that any funding should cover all aspects of DHS, not just certain areas.

However, there have been indications of progress in negotiations, with both parties meeting behind closed doors. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has implored the bipartisan group to expedite a resolution, warning that if no agreement is reached soon, conditions at airports could worsen.