Long lines hit airports as Trump threatens ICE deployment
Mar 21, 2026
(KRON) -- Long lines and short staffing are playing out at airports across the country as a Department of Homeland Security funding impasse continues to impact Transportation Security Administration operations.
Nationwide, around 400 TSA officers have quit since Valentine’s Day, with absentee rat
es topping 33% in some cities. The staffing shortages have led to delays and growing concerns among travelers.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social overnight, saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could be deployed to airports if Democrats do not agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
“I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday — and have already told them to get ready,” Trump wrote. He also said he would task ICE agents with “the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country.”
The threat comes as TSA staffing shortages continue during the partial shutdown. More than 400 TSA personnel have resigned, and callout rates have increased, contributing to disruptions at airports nationwide.
Immigration attorney Gabriel Espinosa-Ramos said if ICE agents do appear at airports, travelers should remember their rights.
California has one of the largest and most diverse immigrant populations in the country, with many undocumented travelers passing through airports every day.
For travelers passing through Oakland International Airport on Saturday, the concerns were immediate as long lines and uncertainty continued.
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