Donald Trump has threatened to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to US airports on Monday if Democrats do not agree to measures strengthening security and immigration enforcement. In a post on Truth Social, the president said he would move 'our brilliant and patriotic ICE Agents to the Airports' if Democrats failed to sign an agreement to make airports 'FREE and SAFE again'.
The threat comes as a funding crisis at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deepens, with TSA workers facing missed paychecks and a growing number quitting their jobs. At least 366 TSA agents have resigned since the government shutdown began on 14 February. Democrats have blocked a DHS funding bill five times, demanding changes to immigration enforcement operations, including better identification for federal officers and a new code of conduct.
Trump's proposal to place ICE agents at airport security checkpoints raises legal questions. Under US Code 1357, ICE may arrest non-citizens without a warrant within a 'reasonable distance' of the border, but it is disputed whether airports fall under this authority. Meanwhile, bipartisan talks have resumed in the Senate, with Republican and Democratic senators meeting White House officials for a third consecutive day.
The standoff has heightened political tensions, with Trump accusing 'Radical Left Democrats' of blocking security measures. He also made unsubstantiated claims about Somali immigrants, calling them 'garbage' and alleging they have 'totally destroyed' Minnesota. Democrats have criticised the administration's immigration crackdown, which has led to clashes and deaths in Minneapolis.
