PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — ICE agents have arrived at Philadelphia International Airport.
Sources tell ABC News they will be on hand at 14 major airports on Tuesday, assisting TSA officials who are understaffed and have been working without pay during the partial government shutdown.
All of this has led to extremely long lines and long waits for travelers.
More than 400 TSA agents have quit, and thousands have called out across the country, many in order to work second jobs or because they cannot afford necessities like transportation or childcare while going unpaid.
However, ICE agents will be paid due to money from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” despite the funding fight in Washington revolving over how ICE operates.
At Philadelphia International Airport, ICE agents have been seen hanging back and helping travelers as needed.
Travelers have had mixed reactions.
“I think that it’s disappointing that we are paying for ICE agents to stand next to a door, when we are not paying for TSA agents to pay their rent,” said one traveler.
“They’ve been very friendly, and they’ve greeted us at each time we’ve been at a different stop,” said another traveler.
As of Tuesday morning, TSA lines at the airport have been moving smoothly.
It’s unclear how long the ICE agents will remain at the airport.
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