Roughly 200 Federal Air Marshals have reportedly been reassigned from their usual duties protecting the US transit system to assist with Trump administration deportation flights alongside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Marshals, part of the Transportation Security Administration, are now performing tasks such as providing security, distributing sandwiches, checking detainees for lice, and cleaning planes, according to CNN. The deployment has sparked controversy, with the Air Marshals union praising the mission while the Air Marshal National Council argues it distracts from core functions and filed a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security inspector general’s office.
The Council warned the new mission could “undermine aviation and national security and expose federal officers to unsafe and improper working conditions.” However, government documents obtained by CNN state the deployment has not affected Marshals’ deployment on domestic and international flights to mitigate risks to transportation and travelers.
TSA confirmed the deployment, saying Marshals are “proud to support our ICE colleagues by providing in-flight security functions.” The Trump administration has also tapped workers from the IRS, Postal Inspectors, Defence Department, FBI, US Marshals, DEA, and ATF to bolster ICE operations.
ICE deportation flights have been criticised, with the White House mocked for using a British airline soundbite and airlines facing boycotts. Immigration operations are expected to expand after the passage of a spending package containing around $170 billion in immigration and border enforcement funding.
