Washington, D.C. — White House border czar Tom Homan said Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers will not conduct passenger or baggage screening at airports, even as they prepare to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) during ongoing staffing shortages.
Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Homan said ICE agents are not trained to operate X-ray machines or perform core screening functions. “I don’t see an ICE agent looking at an X-ray machine, because we’re not trained in that,” he said. Instead, ICE personnel may take on peripheral security roles—such as monitoring exits—to allow TSA officers to focus on screening duties.
The move comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown approaches 40 days, contributing to workforce disruptions across TSA. According to DHS officials, hundreds of TSA employees have left their positions since the shutdown began, while many others have called out of work, leading to long security lines and checkpoint closures at some airports.
Homan said ICE deployment plans are still being finalized in coordination with acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill, with a focus on airports experiencing the longest delays.
President Donald Trump earlier stated that ICE agents would begin assisting TSA operations, though Homan clarified that assistance would not include screening responsibilities.
However, Sean Duffy offered a somewhat different view in comments to ABC News, suggesting ICE agents have experience with similar screening technologies and could provide broader support.
The differing statements highlight ongoing uncertainty about the scope of ICE’s role as federal agencies respond to staffing shortages. Homan emphasized that ICE’s involvement is intended to support TSA operations, not replace them, noting that ICE agents already conduct law enforcement and investigative work at airports.
“This is about helping the men and women at TSA,” Homan said, adding that shifting non-specialized duties away from TSA staff could help reduce wait times for travelers.
Reports indicate that roughly 10 percent of TSA’s workforce has been unavailable during the shutdown, exacerbating delays nationwide and raising concerns about the system’s capacity if funding issues persist.
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