ATLANTA — ICE agents arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport early Monday morning to assist with operations as travelers continue to face hours-long security wait times during the partial government shutdown.
According to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, federal officials say the personnel are assigned to support operational needs directed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including line management and crowd control within the domestic terminals. He adds that federal officials indicate the deployment is not intended to conduct immigration enforcement activities.
Passengers traveling through Hartsfield-Jackson are advised to allow at least four hours or more for domestic and international screenings. TSA wait times are no longer posted on the Atlanta airport website as lines continue to worsen.
One traveler heading to California said she came prepared for delays.
“I packed protein bars, beef sticks, beef jerky sticks, fruit bars. I always come ready with snacks,” said Kelly.
Another traveler said, “I gave myself three hours but I don’t think I’m going to make my flight.”
President Donald Trump ordered federal immigration agents to U.S. airports to assist. Hundreds of thousands of Homeland Security workers, including TSA agents, have been working without pay since Congress failed to renew Department of Homeland Security funding in February, causing many to experience financial issues.
More than 400 Transportation Security Administration workers have quit since the shutdown began on Feb. 14, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Officials say nearly half of those who resigned had more than three years of experience, while a third had over five years.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warns the situation could worsen without action from lawmakers.
“I think as we look forward to Friday that’s when the next paycheck should come and if this homeland security funding is not resolved, I think you’re going to see more TSA agents as we come to Thursday, Friday, Saturday, they’re going to quit or they’re not going to show up,” Duffy says.
Duffy also says, “It’s hard for these individuals already to make their ends meet, but without getting paychecks it’s even that much more challenging.”
WSB’s Graham Carroll spoke with one of the agents at Hartsfield-Jackson Monday morning.
“I asked if he could tell me a bit about his responsibilities and whether they’ve received training for it, he said he could not comment on their duties but did say they did receive minimal training for their role. One thing they are not expected to do is immigration enforcement; they’re here only in a support role helping with lines and crowd management,” Carroll said.
The Senate held a rare weekend session to work on funding the Department of Homeland Security, which includes TSA. However, lawmakers remain far from a resolution more than a month into the shutdown.
Lawmakers face an intense week as they work to reach an agreement before the Senate is scheduled to go on a two-week break next Monday.
President Trump also threatened not to sign any legislation until the “Save America Act,” which requires voters to provide proof of citizenship, is passed.
Dickens says the city is implementing support measures for TSA agents in Atlanta who are not receiving pay during the shutdown.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.