ICE Agents at Airports Amid Shutdown, Long Lines

0:00It's March 23rd. You're listening to Dallas News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Corey with the story. Immigration and customs enforcement agents started showing up at major U.S. airports this week to help with security amid a partial government, shut down. The move comes as transportation security administration screeners face shortages from resignations and callouts since many have been received. Pagex. Things appeared at busy spots like Atlanta's Hartfield Jackson, New York's John F. Kennedy, and Chicago's O'Hare. Over the weekend, lines backed up massively, stretching to parking lots from New York City to New Orleans. More than 11.5% of TSA officers called out on Saturday alone, the highest rate since the shutdown began. Officials urged travelers to arrive four hours early, but some still miss flights after weights of up to six hours. People share frustrations, with some handing out water to waiting crowds and others dealing with health issues in the long lines. Reactions to the ICE presence were mixed, as people weighed the extra help against calls

1:03for more trained TSA staff. Critics, including TSA union leaders, argue, ICE agents lack the specific training for security screenings and point to potential safety risks. Agents may be limited without proper airport badges and Democrats tie the deployment to shut down disputes over immigration funding. As Congress stalls on a deal, airports brace for more disruptions, but these temporary measures aim to keep flights moving.