❓WHAT HAPPENED: Travelers faced extensive delays at major U.S. airports as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortages caused security wait times to spike to nearly five hours in some locations.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: TSA officers, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents deployed to mitigate the labor shortages, and travelers across the nation impacted by the ongoing staffing crisis, caused by the Senate Democrats blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
📍WHEN & WHERE: Delays occurred on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at airports including George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and New York City’s JFK Airport.
🎯IMPACT: The partial government shutdown has severely disrupted airport operations, with TSA officers working without pay and ICE agents stepping in to assist.
Travelers at some of the busiest U.S. airports are facing severe delays as staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) continue during the federal funding lapse. At Houston‘s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, wait times reached nearly five hours on Tuesday, with about 42 percent of TSA officers—who are going without pay due to a Senate Democrat-led partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—calling out. Passengers were warned they might not make it through security in time for their flights.
Similar issues emerged at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where travelers were advised to arrive at least four hours early. To ease the strain, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were deployed to assist at 14 airports, including locations in Atlanta, New York City, Newark, Houston, and New Orleans. Some airports reported TSA callout rates exceeding 40 percent.
The partial government shutdown has left hundreds of thousands of DHS employees working without pay. TSA officers have been particularly affected, with about 12 percent nationwide calling out on Sunday, the highest rate since the shutdown began. More than 400 officers have reportedly resigned.
Reports also highlight the financial hardship facing TSA workers, with some resorting to extreme measures such as selling blood. Because the TSA screens millions of passengers daily, even small staffing gaps can quickly lead to major disruptions.
In response, President Donald J. Trump ordered ICE agents to help support airport operations. Unlike TSA employees, ICE personnel are continuing to receive pay during the shutdown.
Negotiations to end the funding stalemate are ongoing. Lawmakers are considering a proposal to fund most Homeland Security operations while excluding certain ICE activities. The plan could include new requirements such as body cameras and limits on immigration enforcement, which the Democrats oppose.
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