WASHINGTON — White House border czar Tom Homan expressed uncertainty on Sunday about whether federal immigration officers will withdraw from airports once Transportation Security Administration employees receive their delayed paychecks, according to officials familiar with his remarks.
The comments come amid ongoing disruptions at U.S. airports due to a partial government shutdown that has left TSA workers unpaid for weeks. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have been deployed to assist with security, but Homan suggested their continued presence hinges on the return of TSA staff.
“We’ll see. It depends on how many TSA agents come back to work, how many have actually quit and have no plans on coming back,” Homan was quoted as saying during a television interview. Sources within the administration confirmed the uncertainty, noting that the situation remains fluid.
Background context: The current impasse over federal funding has affected multiple agencies, with TSA employees among those hit hardest. Analysts point out that airport security relies heavily on TSA, and any shortfall could compromise safety. The deployment of ICE officers is seen as a stopgap measure, but it raises questions about resource allocation and immigration enforcement priorities.
Government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that plans are in place to recall ICE personnel once TSA operations normalize. However, they emphasized that the timeline is uncertain and dependent on workforce retention.
Looking ahead, the resolution of this issue could have broader implications for federal workforce management and inter-agency cooperation. If TSA agents do not return in sufficient numbers, airports might face prolonged security challenges, potentially impacting travel and national security.