Trump Threatens to Deploy ICE at Airports Monday Over DHS Funding Standoff

President Trump announced plans to send immigration officers to airports starting Monday if Democrats don't agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security. The threat comes as a partial government shutdown has created long security lines at major airports nationwide.

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump announced Saturday his intention to deploy federal immigration enforcement agents at airports beginning Monday if Congressional Democrats refuse to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

Through a series of social media messages, Trump initially issued the threat before confirming he had directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to prepare for airport deployment amid the ongoing legislative impasse. His declaration comes during a partial government shutdown that has resulted in extended wait times at security checkpoints in major airports across the country.

The former Republican commander-in-chief indicated that ICE personnel would extend the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts to airport facilities, vowing to detain “all Illegal Immigrants.”

“I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, ‘GET READY.’ NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!” Trump posted while vacationing in Florida over the weekend.

This action represents a calculated strategy to broaden immigration enforcement activities that have become a source of Congressional friction. Democratic lawmakers have refused to support DHS funding without reforms following a Minnesota enforcement operation that resulted in two protesters being fatally shot. Democrats are demanding enhanced identification requirements for federal law enforcement personnel, establishment of new conduct standards for these agencies, and increased reliance on court-issued warrants, among other reforms.

The Minnesota enforcement action was partially connected to suspected fraud cases involving Somali community members. Trump stated Saturday that ICE agents deployed to airports would prioritize apprehending Somali nationals present in the country without authorization. Continuing his criticism of Somalis, he claimed they have “totally destroyed” Minnesota.

“If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before,” Trump declared.

Trump’s statements provided no specific details regarding ICE’s planned airport security role or how this would affect the Transportation Security Administration, which currently handles passenger and baggage screening for dangerous materials.

Most TSA personnel are classified as essential workers and remain on duty during the funding gap, though they are working without compensation. Absence rates have begun climbing at certain airports, and DHS reported that at least 376 employees have resigned since the partial shutdown started February 14.

During an unusual Saturday session, Senate Democrats’ motion to consider legislation reopening TSA and compensating unpaid workers was defeated. Republicans maintain they must fund the entire DHS rather than selective components. Senate efforts to advance comprehensive department funding legislation stalled Friday.

However, encouraging developments emerged as previously suspended negotiations between Democrats and the White House resumed in recent days. Saturday marked the third straight day of closed-door meetings between Republican and Democratic senators and White House representatives, with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York describing “productive conversations.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., pressed the bipartisan working group for swift action. He has repeatedly emphasized the need for Democratic and White House compromise as airport delays have increased.

“If that group that’s meeting can’t come up with a solution really quickly, things are going to get worse and worse,” Thune warned Saturday.