ICE agents to deploy to major airports to cover TSA staffing shortages

President Trump deploying ICE agents to assist TSA with long lines at airports

Airports across the nation, including Sky Harbor, are dealing with low staffing and surging wait times as TSA agents continue working without pay. FOX 10's Taylor Wirtz learns how the lack of TSA agents are affecting travelers.

PHOENIX - President Trump has announced that ICE agents will deploy to airports across the country on March 23 to cover for TSA staffing shortages due to a partial government shutdown. The agents are working without paychecks for the second time in six months.

What we know:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told FOX 10 in a statement that President Trump is using "every tool available" to help American travelers facing long lines at airports due to the DHS shutdown, and deploying ICE agents is one way of doing that.

An official list of airports where the agents will be deployed has not yet been released, but Border Zar Tom Homan said the priority is "large airports where there’s a long wait." While Sky Harbor has not seen anything close to the extensive wait times seen at airports across the country, some wait times have reached at least 25 minutes—compared to the usual seven to nine-minute lines.

The backstory:

The lack of pay is leading to sick calls at airports across the nation, including Sky Harbor, where they shut down two of its security checkpoints in Terminal 4—checkpoints B and D—due to TSA staffing shortages related to the government shutdown. 

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Sky Harbor: Terminal 4 security checkpoints at B and D gates closed

Sky Harbor officials say two security checkpoints at Terminal 4 are closed. This comes as the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has resulted in fluctuating wait times at U.S. airports.

What they're saying:

Some travelers said they're fine with the idea if it would help keep their flights safe.

"I wouldn't be opposed to the idea if it helps, run the airport better. I think it would be a great idea," traveler David Hoffman said. 

"I think it's going to be more secure," traveler Bruce Gerish added. "They're going to come in and do the job they're asked to do, and that's going to be to to make sure that people going through the lines aren't bringing in weapons or not."

The other side:

Other think it would make things less safe.

"I think it's absolutely horrible. I mean, I think that they have been proven to violate constitutional rights, and not abide by the things that have been set forth in our Constitution. So I have no understanding of why they would actually be here," traveler Armando Wilson said.

Dig deeper:

"Bringing in ICE into a crowded airport with passengers already stressed because of their travels, because of potential wait times, could turn into a powder keg," Transportation Security Officer Pascual Contreras said about the prospect of ICE agents working alongside TSA staff. "An agency with a budget larger than the U.S. Marine Corps running around, not trained for what we're trained to do, how to deal with the traveling public. It's just not a good thought. It doesn't seem like it was well-thought-out."

Contreras noted that he does not speak for all TSA officers, but he feels the lack of pay is the most important issue at stake. He is one of hundreds of officers working at Sky Harbor who has been going without a paycheck.

"We love our job. We're dedicated to doing the mission, but we can't continue to do this anymore," Contreras said.