Border czar Tom Homan said on Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will continue to be present at airports until Transportation Security Administration officers are able to resume normal operations. “We’re going to continue an ICE presence there, and until the airports feel like they’re in 100% in a posture where they can do normal operations,” Homan said in an interview on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.” “So if less TSA agents come back, that means we’ll keep more ICE agents there.”
Homan’s statements come after President Donald Trump ordered the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA officers as the partial shutdown continues. In a separate interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Homan mentioned that TSA officers should hopefully receive their pay by Monday or Tuesday.
When asked on CNN if ICE agents would leave airports once TSA officers start receiving pay, Homan responded, “We’ll see.”
Homan emphasized the importance of ICE agents at airports, stating, “God bless the men and women of ICE.” He mentioned that ICE agents are assisting with tasks such as identification checks and protecting exit lanes.
Approximately 500 TSA workers have resigned since the start of the shutdown, with many more calling out of work due to lack of pay. This has resulted in long wait times at security checkpoints, especially in airports with severe staff shortages.
Regarding DHS funding, House Republicans approved a short-term bill that lacks Senate support. The DHS shutdown has now become the longest in U.S. history, with no clear resolution in sight as Congress is set to be on recess for the next two weeks.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is currently discussing potential legislation with Senate Democrats to end the funding standoff. However, Senate Democrats have rejected short-term funding plans that include funding for ICE and Customs and Border Patrol. Senate Republicans have no immediate plans to reconvene.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s spokesperson criticized Republicans for the prolonged shutdown, stating, “Republicans shouldn’t look to Senate Democrats to fix their own internal caucus problems.”
