Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called on President Donald Trump to remove Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from airports and immediately pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers, as staffing shortages disrupt travel.
Democrats Demand TSA Pay, ICE Out Of Airports
On Tuesday, Schumer posted on X, “ICE needs to leave the airports NOW.”
He added, “Trump needs to pay TSA workers NOW, and push Republicans to reach a deal. No intimidation forces at our airports. No more chaos at checkpoints. Enough is enough.”
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said, “Donald Trump needs to pay TSA and get ICE the hell out of our airports,” criticizing the deployment of ICE agents and urging immediate TSA payment.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said, “TSA agents don’t need ICE officers hovering over their shoulders and intimidating travelers—they need to get paid!”
She noted that Democrats have tried eight times to fund TSA, but Republicans have blocked the efforts.
TSA Union Criticizes ICE Deployment
TSA union leaders criticized Trump’s deployment of ICE officers to 14 airports, calling it an “insult” and a “waste of money” because the agents lacked training for passenger screening.
Hydrick Thomas, AFGE TSA Council 100 president, said the move placed a tactical force in a role needing specialized judgment, not just uniforms.
Last week, White House border czar Tom Homan clarified that ICE agents would not operate X-ray machines or screen passengers, instead handling tasks like monitoring exits to free TSA staff.
Trump praised the deployment and criticized Democrats for withholding funding, saying, “THEY WILL DO A FANTASTIC JOB. The great Tom Homan is in charge!!!”
Sen. Ted Cruz pushed to fund ICE and CBP separately from the DHS budget to bypass partisan gridlock.
He said, “What I’ve suggested is that the Democrats have gotten so extreme and unreasonable that I don’t know that they will ever be willing to fund Department of Homeland Security.”
The partial government shutdown left TSA officers unpaid, increased absenteeism, and caused airport delays up to four hours during peak spring break travel.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock
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