WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he would direct federal immigration officers to assist with airport security starting Monday unless Democrats reach an agreement on a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
In a series of social media posts, Trump initially issued a warning and subsequently detailed plans to position officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at airports if the ongoing congressional impasse continues. This announcement coincides with a partial government shutdown that has resulted in lengthy screening lines at several of the nation’s busiest airports.
The Republican president indicated that ICE agents would extend the administration's immigration enforcement efforts into airports, vowing to apprehend 'all Illegal Immigrants.' Trump stated, 'I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, “GET READY.” NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!' while he was in Florida for the weekend.
This initiative appears to be a strategic attempt to broaden the scope of immigration enforcement, which has become a contentious issue in Congress. Democrats have committed to opposing funding for DHS unless specific changes are implemented, particularly following a crackdown in Minnesota that resulted in the fatal shootings of two protesters. They are advocating for improved identification protocols for federal law enforcement officers, a revised code of conduct for these agencies, and increased reliance on judicial warrants, among other reforms.
The operation in Minnesota was linked to accusations of fraud involving Somali residents. Trump emphasized that the ICE officers assigned to airports would prioritize the arrest of immigrants from Somalia who are illegally present in the U.S., reiterating his criticism of the Somali community by stating they '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 asserted.
However, Trump did not provide additional specifics regarding how ICE's involvement in airport security would be structured or what implications this would have for the Transportation Security Administration, which is responsible for screening passengers and luggage for dangerous items.
The majority of TSA employees are classified as essential and continue to work during the funding impasse, but they are doing so without compensation. Reports indicate that absenteeism rates have begun to rise at certain airports, and the Department of Homeland Security has noted that at least 376 TSA employees have resigned since the partial shutdown commenced on February 14.
On Saturday, the Senate rejected a motion proposed by Democrats aimed at resuming operations for TSA and compensating workers who are currently without pay. Republicans maintain that funding must encompass all components of DHS, not just selected areas. A bill intended to fund the department did not advance in the Senate on Friday.
Despite the deadlock, there are indications of progress, as stalled discussions between Democrats and the White House resumed in recent days. On Saturday, bipartisan Senate members were scheduled to convene for a third consecutive day with White House representatives, with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York describing the discussions as 'productive conversations.'
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., urged the bipartisan group to act swiftly, emphasizing the need for a compromise as airport lines continue to lengthen. 'If that group that’s meeting can’t come up with a solution really quickly, things are going to get worse and worse,' Thune remarked on Saturday.
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Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington contributed to this report.
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