Long security lines and mounting uncertainty are once again disrupting air travel across U.S. airports, as a prolonged government shutdown continues to strain TSA staffing, while a controversial new federal measure adds another layer of complexity.
Since the partial shutdown began on February 14, 2026, airports nationwide have been grappling with reduced staffing levels, driven in part by unpaid TSA workers.
As the funding impasse stretches into late March, industry leaders warn that the situation is worsening during a critical spring travel period. According to the Department of Homeland Security, between 376 and 400 TSA officers have resigned since the shutdown began, citing financial hardship from missed paychecks. The shortages have led to highly unpredictable wait times at major hubs, with some passengers experiencing delays of up to three hours.
Airports Strained with Long TSA Lines
Airports including Atlanta, Houston, New York (JFK and LaGuardia), Newark, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Miami have all reported significant congestion, with some security lines extending beyond checkpoints into other areas of terminals.
Industry groups are increasingly vocal. The U.S. Travel Association sharply criticized lawmakers for failing to reach a funding agreement, pointing to the strain on frontline workers and the growing impact on travelers. In a statement issued on March 23, the organization called it a “striking irony” that members of Congress are preparing for a paid recess while TSA officers face missed paychecks, urging lawmakers not to leave Washington without passing a funding bill to ensure workers are paid.
“Come Friday, if Congress fails to do its job and pass a DHS funding bill, they’ll head to the airports, get escorted to the front of the security line and be screened by the very TSA officers they failed to pay,” said the statement. “Fix this before you leave Washington. Pass the funding. Pay our TSA officers. The American people are watching, and they will remember who stayed to get it done and who didn’t.”
ICE Agents Deployed
The federal government has begun deploying U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to select airports as of March 23.
According to reports, the agents are being assigned to non-screening roles such as crowd control and line management, allowing certified TSA officers to focus on security operations. Initial deployments have been confirmed at airports including Atlanta, Newark, New Orleans and New York’s JFK, with plans to expand to additional gateways. The move has drawn swift backlash from labor groups.
Unions representing more than 100,000 aviation workers—including the Association of Flight Attendants—issued a joint statement calling for immediate pay for TSA workers and warning against the use of ICE personnel at airports.
“Transportation Security Administration workers must be paid now,” the groups said, adding that security officers “cannot simply be replaced” due to the extensive training required for screening and threat detection.
The unions also cautioned that introducing ICE agents into airports could create “contradictory missions,” warning that any shift toward immigration-related enforcement could distract from core security responsibilities.
