More than 400 agents at the TSA, the Transportation Security Administration, have resigned since the current partial government shutdown began nearly 40 days ago due to disputes over DHS (Department of Homeland Security) funding.
Senate lawmakers continued negotiations on Sunday (22), with many eager to pass a bill before the Easter recess, which begins later this week.
Starting Monday, federal officials say U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will be dispatched to , where travelers have faced long security lines due to a shortage of workers.
Here’s what you need to know about the subject:
- Absences at TSA: More than 11% of TSA employees were absent on March 21, according to DHS, the highest number nationwide since the shutdown began. For six consecutive days last week, TSA absence rates were above 9%, according to a TSA spokesperson.
- ICE breakdown: Immigration agents will be deployed to U.S. airports on Monday, with border chief Tom Homan leading the effort, President Donald Trump announced Sunday. Homan told CNNon the “State of the Union” program, that agents would be there to relieve TSA officers from “non-significant duties.”
- Conflicting plans: Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy appeared to suggest a broader role for ICE agents, citing his experience handling similar screening equipment at border checkpoints.
- Financing negotiations have stalled: Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Republicans are awaiting a response from Democrats to a White House offer as they race to reach a deal before the planned holiday. Earlier, lawmakers said they were making “some progress” in negotiations to reopen DHS, Thune told reporters.
