President Donald Trump has come under fire from Democrats after issuing a blunt threat to shift Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to U.S. airports for security and arrests, a move critics say would just deepen the travel chaos from a partial Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown now extending into its sixth week.
On Saturday, March 21, Trump took to his Truth Social handle and warned that if “Radical Left Democrats” don’t quickly fund the full department, he would redeploy “brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents” to airports.
According to Trump, the ICE agents would provide “Security like no one has ever seen before,” while immediately arresting undocumented immigrants, with special focus on those from Somalia, and singled out Minnesota’s leadership, including Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., fired back within minutes, noting that Trump is a leader who creates more problems rather than offering solutions to existing issues.
“This is Trump looking to create more problems rather than find a solution,” Beyer wrote on X, quoting the president’s message.
He urged Congress to pass a targeted bill from Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., that would fund the TSA and other non-enforcement parts of DHS while excluding ICE and Customs and Border Protection.
Also Read: Trump Orders Arrest of U.S Citizens Caught Filming ICE Agents
The shutdown kicked off on February 13 after lawmakers deadlocked over immigration enforcement rules.
Reforms on ICE
Democrats have been demanding reforms on ICE, including banning masks for agents, judicial warrants for home raids, and limiting operations near schools or hospitals, following deadly shootings in Minnesota last month.
On the other side of the political divide, Republicans have been terming those changes dangerous handcuffs on border security and insist on full funding with no strings attached.
According to data available in the public domain, more than 50,000 TSA officers have worked without a paycheck since mid-February. Hundreds have already quit, at least 366 by official count, and sick calls have doubled.
Lately, security lines have been snaking through major airports, with some passengers waiting hours to get cleared.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and TSA officials have warned that smaller airports could start shutting down entirely if the stalemate continues into next week.
DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, opened a discharge petition this week to force a vote on her bill.
It would immediately pay TSA workers, FEMA staff, the Coast Guard personnel, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency personnel, and other key operations, except for ICE, CBP, and the secretary’s office.
“If we defeat the previous question, I will move to bring up my bill, which will fully fund TSA workers,” DeLauro said on the House floor.
She accused Republicans of “actively blocking” assistance to people who keep planes operating and families safe.
Also Read: Trump Accuses Democrats of Airport Disruptions Linked to DHS Funding Impasse
Democrats maintain that it is common sense to protect regular services utilized by working-class Americans, but they do not want to reward ICE for their “overreach” activities.
The White House and GOP leaders push back hard
The White House and GOP leaders have been blaming Democrats for triggering the shutdown with “reckless” demands and say Trump’s airport idea is a necessary backup to keep travelers secure.
Trump himself framed it as a direct strike against illegal immigration that Democrats have allegedly enabled.
Yet even some airport officials and airline executives are pleading for any deal. Major carriers have quietly lobbied both sides, warning that spring break crowds could turn manageable delays into full-blown gridlock.
