PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Sources tell ABC News that hundreds of ICE agents are expected to be sent to 14 airports on Monday, including Philadelphia International Airport.
The Trump administration is preparing to deploy the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as Transportation Security Administration officers continue to work without pay during the ongoing partial government shutdown.
The move comes as hundreds of TSA officers have quit and thousands continue to call out.
Other airports where ICE will be deployed, according to ABC News, include:
– Chicago-O’Hare International Airport
– Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
– Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
– Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport
– Houston’s Bush Interncontinental Airport
– John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York)
– LaGuardia Airport (New York)
– Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
– Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
– Newark Liberty International Airport
– Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
– Pittsburgh International Airport
– Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers, Florida)
There were no visible signs of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at Philadelphia International Airport early Monday morning.
Passenger lines at the airport fluctuated throughout the morning, but were generally manageable.
Still, many travelers said they arrived hours early, anticipating delays tied to the partial government shutdown and staffing shortages at the TSA.
Jeff Trainer of Allentown, Pennsylvania, said his family arrived well before dawn to avoid potential problems.
“Get up at one. He’s like, ‘What are you, crazy?’ I said nope, we were one of the first ones here,” he said.
Breckyn Loynd of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, said concerns about long waits prompted her and her friends to arrive early.
“We were really scared, we didn’t want to be waiting in line for two hours. I’d rather be here early and be in the front of the line,” said Loynd.
The partial government shutdown has entered its third week, and TSA agents remain without pay. Some have called out of work, and more than 400 have quit, contributing to busier airports nationwide.
Tasha Johnson of West Philadelphia said reports of lengthy lines influenced her decision to plan ahead.
“I heard people were standing in line for four hours and still missing their flights, and I was like, that’s not going to be me,” she said.
At one point, the security line at Philadelphia International Airport stretched back to the parking garage at Terminal A-East. For much of the morning, however, lines moved quickly.
Shawn Walker of Abington, Pennsylvania, said warnings about airport delays led him to arrive earlier than usual.
“The warning signs were out there. We knew we had to get here three hours before our flight. We woke up early, and we’re here. It’s not too bad, not as bad as I anticipated,” Walker said.
Meeshach Stennett of Smyrna, Delaware, said he hopes the situation does not further disrupt travelers.
“I hope it doesn’t disrupt people’s lives, Americans that are trying to travel. I hope this ends soon. These TSA workers don’t deserve this,” said Stennett.
Some travelers expressed uncertainty about whether ICE agents would be present.
“I was actually hoping maybe Elon paid for some of the people to come in to work, but I don’t know what’s going on. I wasn’t sure if they’d be here or not,” said Stacey Peev of East Greenville, Pennsylvania.
If the government shutdown is not resolved by Friday, TSA agents will have gone three weeks without pay.
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