Hours-long security lines have become a familiar sight at New York City’s LaGuardia Airport, with passengers facing frustrating delays. The situation has worsened as the partial government shutdown drags on, with some TSA agents working without pay and others calling in sick or leaving work en masse.

The Trump administration's response? Deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to 14 airports, including LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy. However, these agents lack the necessary training for a job that requires both vigilance and customer service, leading to confusion among passengers and frustration among airport workers.

Hydrick Thomas, president of AFGE Local 2222, voiced concerns about ICE's presence. ‘If you want to bring a tactical force into an environment where it’s required to have customer service and a mindset where you know what you’re doing — they don’t have that training,’ he said.

Passengers and workers alike are left questioning the effectiveness of this solution, with some ICE agents simply standing around while others are seen directing traffic or giving out water. The situation has escalated to such an extent that food banks in several airports are now collecting donations for employees who haven’t received a steady paycheck due to the shutdown.

Long-term concerns remain as security officers fear they may be replaced by ICE agents or private sector employees, with one mentioning Project 2025’s push for privatizing TSA. In the meantime, President Trump promised to pay TSA workers through an executive order but has yet to provide any details on implementation.