ICE deploys to airports: Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are heading to 13 airports today
Officials at Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been scrambling to carry out a weekend directive from President Trump to have immigration agents provide security at airports amid the partial government shutdown, multiple sources familiar with the internal deliberations told CBS News.
On Saturday, Mr. Trump posted a message on Truth Social suggesting he would deploy ICE agents to airports to conduct security and arrest people in the U.S. illegally, if congressional Democrats did not agree on a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
Saturday marked the day with the highest number of nationwide call-outs when more than 3,250 employees called out. More than 400 officers have “separated” from the agency, DHS said.
White House border czar Tom Homan told CNN on Sunday that he was working on a plan to execute the president’s directive, adding that he would be discussing the matter with the heads of TSA and ICE.
White House border czar Tom Homan told CNN on Sunday that he was working on a plan to execute the president’s directive, adding that he would be discussing the matter with the heads of TSA and ICE.
Homan suggested that ICE agents could provide site security at certain airports, as opposed to screening passengers and bags. He said having ICE agents secure exit and entry points at airports could allow more TSA agents to focus on screenings. Appearing on Fox News, Homan said ICE could also help by checking IDs.
Homan did not directly say whether any ICE agents dispatched to airports would also conduct immigration arrests, but noted they routinely enforce immigration laws there.
As federal immigration officers, ICE agents have the power under the Immigration and Nationality Act to arrest anyone, anywhere in the U.S., who they believe is in the country illegally or deportable on other grounds.
A former senior ICE official told CBS News that agents at the agency would probably not be equipped or trained to help with the more technical tasks of airport security, such as operating the screening machines. The former official said ICE agents could augment the security force at airports but that most other law enforcement agencies could as well.
Using Customs and Border Protection officers to bolster airport security, the former ICE official said, would make more sense, since many already operate at international airports, conducting immigration checks for incoming travelers.
