The Trump administration announced the move as the country faces mounting strain on aviation security operations.
There are growing concerns over staffing shortages within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), where thousands of frontline workers have been required to work without pay during the impasse in Washington.
The shutdown, now one of the longest in U.S. history, has seen absentee rates among TSA officers rise steadily, raising fears about potential disruptions to airport screening and passenger safety.
In a statement, officials said ICE personnel would be temporarily reassigned to support airport operations, primarily in administrative and logistical roles, rather than conducting standard immigration enforcement duties.
The aim, authorities said, is to relieve pressure on overstretched TSA teams and maintain the flow of travellers through security checkpoints.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from aviation experts and union representatives, who argue that ICE agents are not trained for TSA-specific screening procedures.
They warn that substituting specialised security staff with personnel from another agency could create operational inefficiencies and confusion at already busy transport hubs.
“TSA officers undergo highly specific training to manage passenger screening and identify threats,” one union spokesperson said.
“Bringing in ICE agents may help with numbers, but it does not replace the expertise required to keep aviation security running smoothly.”
Passengers have already reported longer wait times at several major airports, with some terminals experiencing delays of up to an hour during peak travel periods.
While no major security breaches have been reported, the situation has heightened anxiety among travellers and industry stakeholders alike.
The administration has defended the move as a necessary, short term solution to an unprecedented situation.
Officials insist that safety remains the top priority and that all personnel deployed to airports will operate under strict supervision.
The ongoing shutdown, triggered by a budget standoff in Congress, has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers either furloughed or working without pay.
For TSA staff in particular, the financial strain has compounded operational challenges, with many struggling to balance work commitments and personal obligations.
