ICE Agents Deployed to Ease Airport Security Lines

0:00ICE agents showed up at major airports this week to help ease massive TSA security lines caused by the government shutdown. Hundreds of them deployed to at least 13 spots, including Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, and New Orleans. In Atlanta's Hartfield Jackson Airport, they were identifiable vests and managed crowds where lines stretched for hours. This move comes as TSA workers' face shortages, with at least 376 quitting since mid-February because they're unpaid during the shutdown. President Trump ordered the help unless Democrats pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security. ICE stays funded, so agents can step in for tasks like checking IDs or watching exits. Travelers are fed up with the delays hitting hard across the country. In Atlanta, weights hit 153 minutes on Sunday, wrapping around baggage claim. Houston saw up to two or three hours, while New York's JFK reached 75 minutes and Newark 44. Officials say ICE won't handle screenings or X-rays since they're not trained for

1:03it, but they'll free up TSA staff by handling line management and crowd control. Trump also directed agents not to wear face coverings at airports, calling it unnecessary for this work. As lines persist in the shutdown drags on, airports urge passengers to check real-time weights or book time slots were available to avoid the worst. Chaos. I'm Corey with The Story. That's your Dallas News Today update, AI-powered and always on.