ICE agents deployed to NYC airports do not appear to help ease TSA lines
Gothamist • • nation
Key Points:
- Federal immigration agents deployed to New York City airports this week appear to be providing little meaningful assistance to TSA workers, raising questions about their intended role.
- Tom Homan, President Trump's "border czar," announced the deployment of ICE agents to help ease long TSA security lines caused by increased employee absences during the government shutdown.
- Observations at JFK and LaGuardia airports showed ICE agents mostly standing around without actively covering exits or assisting TSA screening, contrary to official statements.
- Immigration advocates and local officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, criticized the deployment, suggesting ICE presence is more about enforcement than support.
- Data from the Department of Homeland Security indicates high TSA call-out rates during the shutdown, with 37% at JFK and over 17% at LaGuardia, underscoring operational challenges.
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