Airports across the United States are appealing for donations to support Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees who have been working without pay since the partial government shutdown began in February. The shutdown, triggered by a funding dispute between Republicans and Democrats over the Department of Homeland Security, has left TSA staff missing their first full pay cheques on Friday.
In response, several airports have set up food pantries and are requesting gift cards for groceries and fuel. Denver, Seattle, Las Vegas, Reno, Cleveland, Orlando, New York and New Jersey airports are among those accepting donations. However, federal regulations prohibit TSA employees from accepting cash or cash-equivalent cards like Visa gift cards, and all gift cards must be valued at $20 or less.
The shutdown has led to some TSA workers not reporting for duty, causing intermittent long queues at security checkpoints. At Miami International Airport on Thursday, wait times at security doubled at times. A video of a lengthy queue at New Orleans airport also went viral. However, officials at Denver, Orlando, Las Vegas and Cleveland airports reported normal wait times despite the busy spring break season.
One TSA agent at Miami airport commented: “Not enough. Nothing happens until the public feels some pain.” Traveller Praharsha Pinninti described the situation as “extremely unfair” and a test of integrity. The Las Vegas airport reopened a food pantry first established during a 2019 shutdown, while Cleveland airport launched a similar initiative after public inquiries. “The airport is like a family,” said Cleveland’s Michele Dynia.
The shutdown is the longest in US history, with Democrats refusing to fund DHS agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), without immigration enforcement reforms. The Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign has drawn criticism for its aggressive tactics.
