President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to U.S. Airports starting Monday, March 23, 2026, if Democrats do not agree to a funding package to end the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. The move escalates a standoff with lawmakers and introduces potential disruption to air travel as negotiations continue.
“I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, ‘GET READY.’ NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!” Trump wrote in a post to his social media platform, according to ABC News. He added that, unless Democrats “immediately sign an agreement,” he will deploy ICE agents to conduct security enforcement “like no one has ever seen before,” including immigration enforcement.
The precise role ICE agents would grab on at airports remains unclear. The White House has deferred questions to the president’s social media posts. This action comes as Democrats have blocked legislation to reopen DHS for the fifth time since the partial shutdown began in mid-February, demanding changes to policies surrounding ICE and Customs and Border Protection in exchange for funding. Republicans have rejected those efforts, also opposing funding for other agencies within DHS, such as the Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Trump’s threat also follows reports of increasing challenges at airports. The Guardian noted long lines at Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, potentially exacerbated by the ongoing shutdown. The deployment of ICE agents, even as framed as a security measure, could further strain resources and potentially lead to increased scrutiny of travelers.
The move is reminiscent of the Trump administration’s focus on immigration enforcement, which previously drew criticism from Democrats, civil liberties advocates, and immigration advocacy groups. Trump also stated ICE “will do Security like no one has ever seen before, including the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have reach into our country” and made unsubstantiated claims about immigrants from Somalia.
Meanwhile, MarketScreener Nederland reports that sick leave among TSA agents remained stable on Thursday, March 20, 2026, as the shutdown continues. Elon Musk has also offered to cover the salaries of security personnel amid the budgetary crisis, as reported by HLN. The situation underscores the growing pressure on the U.S. Travel infrastructure as the political impasse continues.
The potential deployment of ICE agents to airports represents a significant escalation in the DHS funding dispute, raising concerns about operational disruptions and the potential for increased enforcement actions. The move is likely to further complicate negotiations and could have broader implications for travel and security protocols.
