The US Government will send in Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, starting today (Monday 23 March). These federal employees will plug the hole created by a shortage of TSA staff – caused by the ongoing partial government shutdown.
The news comes in as reports of multi-hour queues have developed at airports across the USA. Airline CEOs sent an open letter to Congress last week requesting immediate action to relieve the strain. Reportedly, 50,000 TSA staff have had to work without pay this past month.
US airports face potential closures amid government shutdown
President Trump released a post on Truth Social announcing the deployment of ICE officers on Saturday. White House border czar Tom Homan has since told CNN that he is working on a plan to carry out the President’s directive.
Images have been circulating on social media of vast queues at US airports. Some passengers have reportedly had to queue for up to four hours.
