Trump Threatens to Deploy ICE Agents at Airports Amid Homeland Security Shutdown

US President Donald Trump has instructed immigration agents to prioritize the arrest of Somali immigrants in their efforts to enhance airport security. The directive comes as the US government remains in a partial shutdown, affecting the Department of Homeland Security and its various agencies.

The five-week-old impasse has resulted in nearly 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees working without pay, leading to increased absences among airport security agents. Some have called in sick or quit their jobs, causing long lines and delays at several airports.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump stated that he will deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to the airports to conduct security checks. He also announced plans to task ICE agents with arresting all undocumented immigrants who have entered the country, with a particular emphasis on those from Somalia.

The Department of Homeland Security, which includes agencies such as ICE and Customs and Border Protection, is currently without funding due to a congressional deadline missed in February. The lack of funding has led to concerns about the impact on airport security and the potential for increased delays.

As part of the shutdown, 366 TSA security officers have quit their jobs, while callout rates at airports have spiked. Industry analysts warn that these absences could put additional strain on remaining security personnel, who may be more fatigued and less alert to potential threats.

It is unclear how ICE agents would address current airport security concerns, but Trump’s plan has been met with criticism from some lawmakers and advocacy groups.

Source: Al Jazeera