ICE Reduces Presence at Some U.S. Airports: Full List of Terminals Without Agents
Posted on 04/14/26 at 14:03
- ICE leaves key airports
- TSA resumes normal operations
- Crisis impacted flights
The presence of agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at U.S. airports is beginning to decline after several weeks of extraordinary support at security checkpoints.
The decision comes amid an operational recovery by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), following a crisis triggered by a partial government shutdown.
- Why it matters: ICE’s involvement in airport operations highlighted the pressure the aviation security system can face during crises, as well as the level of coordination required between federal agencies in exceptional situations, central to the ICE airport presence reduction.
ICE begins withdrawal after supporting 14 airports during the crisis
ICE agents have started leaving checkpoints where they had been helping manage long passenger lines.
Their deployment began on March 23 by order of Donald Trump across 14 airports nationwide, in response to TSA staffing shortages.
Since last week, agents have gradually concluded their duties at several of these airports, marking the beginning of a phased withdrawal.
Government shutdown caused staff shortages and long security lines
The issue began when TSA workers stopped reporting to work due to lack of pay during the partial government shutdown.
This led to a significant increase in wait times at airports across the country.
The situation began to stabilize after funds from a domestic policy bill passed last summer were authorized to pay employees, reducing absenteeism.
Basic but essential roles: how ICE agents helped
Although not trained to perform all TSA duties, ICE agents handled key operational tasks.
They checked IDs at the start of security lines, organized queues, and assisted with passenger logistics.
They also helped ease traveler discomfort, even distributing water bottles during long waits.
Airports where ICE has already withdrawn or confirmed departure
The withdrawal of agents is already a reality at several terminals across the country, according to official confirmations:
- Philadelphia (Philadelphia International Airport): withdrawal confirmed starting Thursday
- Cleveland (Cleveland Hopkins International Airport): agents gone since last Friday
- Phoenix (Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport): stopped assisting as of Monday
- Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh International Airport): no ICE presence remains
Additionally, airports in Houston (William P. Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental), the New York area (JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark), and Fort Myers have requested information from federal authorities but have not confirmed details.
Officials confirm end of support in some airports
In Philadelphia, the withdrawal was officially announced during a public hearing.
Tracy Borda, interim executive director of the airport, stated: “The good news is that we are at a point where we’ve been told that starting Thursday, we will no longer have ICE agents at the airport.”
She added: “They should already be gone. There may be other parts of the country where lines are still forming. We’re not sure.”
ICE may continue operations inside terminals
Although their role at checkpoints is ending, ICE agents may still carry out operations within airport terminals in law enforcement capacities.
Reports indicate that interagency collaboration has remained constant. Information shared by airport security officials has allowed ICE to carry out around 800 arrests from the start of the Trump administration through February 2026.
- What’s next: The withdrawal of ICE will test the TSA’s ability to operate without additional support. It also leaves open the question of how to respond to future crises in airport security, as the ICE airport presence reduction continues to unfold.
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SOURCE: EFE
