Over 450 TSA Officers Have Reportedly Quit Since the Partial Shutdown Began, DHS Says
More than 450 Transportation Security Administration officers have quit since the start of a partial government shutdown on February 14, leading to increased delays at U.S. airports, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
As previously shared, disruptions tied to federal workforce shortages have continued to impact essential services across the country. In this case, TSA operations have been significantly affected as officers continue working without pay during the shutdown.About 50,000 TSA officers are currently going without pay and are expected to miss a second full paycheck. As a result, staffing levels have dropped, contributing to longer wait times at airport security checkpoints nationwide.
Airport Delays Increase as TSA Staffing Shortages Grow
Due to the reduction in available staff, several major airports have experienced extended wait times, in some cases exceeding three to four hours. The Department of Homeland Security reported that nearly 11% of TSA officers nationwide, or more than 3,200 employees, did not report to work on Monday.
Additionally, absentee rates have been particularly high at certain locations. More than 30% of TSA workers were absent at airports including New York JFK, Baltimore, Houston Hobby, Atlanta, and New Orleans.As a result, airport operations have slowed significantly. Travelers have been advised to arrive earlier than usual to accommodate longer screening times.
ICE Agents and DHS Personnel Deployed to Assist TSA Operations
In response to the staffing shortages, hundreds of U.S. immigration agents and Homeland Security Investigations officers began deploying at 14 U.S. airports to assist with security screening efforts.These personnel include agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other Department of Homeland Security divisions. Unlike TSA officers, ICE and other law enforcement personnel continue to receive pay during the shutdown.
At New York LaGuardia Airport, ICE officers were observed walking through terminals. However, reports indicate they were not performing the same duties typically handled by TSA officers. Social media posts from other airports showed ICE agents standing near TSA officers who were checking identification.
Political Standoff Continues Amid DHS Funding Dispute
The deployment of additional personnel comes amid an ongoing political standoff in Washington. President Donald Trump stated that ICE agents would be placed at airports if lawmakers did not reach a funding agreement.
Democratic lawmakers have delayed funding for the Department of Homeland Security while calling for changes to immigration enforcement policies. Their demands follow an incident in Minneapolis in which agents shot and killed U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti, leading to public concern and calls for reform.
Republican lawmakers have rejected proposals that would fund TSA operations separately while negotiations over immigration enforcement policies continue.
