Summary
President Donald Trump deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to assist at airports amidst a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown. ICE officers are helping manage airport operations due to staffing shortages as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers remain unpaid.
Key Facts
- ICE officers were sent to at least 14 airports on Monday to help TSA staff.
- President Trump suggested that ICE officers remove their masks at airports.
- The DHS shutdown began on February 14, affecting thousands of TSA employees.
- ICE officers are handling tasks like crowd control and ID checks.
- President Trump mentioned the possible use of the National Guard if necessary.
- ICE officers are not trained to operate X-ray machines.
- Airports faced delays with TSA workers calling out or resigning.
- TSA callout rates reached 11.8 percent, with over 3,450 officers absent.
