TSA officers have gone weeks without pay due to the partial government shutdown, leading to an alarming rate of call-outs for the agency.
ICE agents are being brought in at airports across the country, including JFK Airport, to help TSA officers during the partial government shutdown. Roughly 30% of the agency’s employees have called out, and the strain has led to long lines at security checkpoints.
NBC New York’s Pei-Sze Cheng reports. Transportation Security Administration lines continue to face delays at airports across the country, including in our area, such as John F. Kennedy Airport. While some passengers opted to arrive extra early, it has not helped the timing issue on the other side of the aisle. "I've been really scared the whole week, looking on TikTok and Instagram and just seeing all the lines," traveler Lara Atasoya told News 4."And I was thinking, how am I going to get home?"Atasoya is part of a group of travelers looking to get back to Sweden. Looking to play it safe, they arrived at Kennedy Airport nearly five hours before their flight, and while TSA lines weren't long at the time, they were so early that the airline counter wasn't yet open to start the check-in process.Connecticut resident Pamela Kelly also looked to avoid the lines by showing up five hours early for her flight ot Italy. " a little frsutrated being sent mixed messages to get here early, but when we do, we can't do anything for a few more hours," Kelly told News 4."It's a very, very long day for everybody."TSA officers have gone weeks without pay due to the partial government shutdown, leading to an alarming rate of call-outs for the agency. On average, TSA saw nearly 11% of its employees call out on Monday. At JFK, the number was closer to 34%, while LaGuardia saw 20% of staff call out.In a statement, the Port Authority said,"We expect that the staff assigned to assist in passenger processing functions will be properly trained and focused on supporting inspection operations."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
List of Airports Where ICE Agents Will Be DeployedICE agents are expected to be present at 14 airports nationwide to assist TSA.
Read more »
Houston’s Bush Airport among hardest hit as TSA call-outs spike during shutdownStaffing shortages tied to the ongoing federal government shutdown are impacting airport security operations nationwide, including at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where absentee rates among screeners are among the highest in the country.
Read more »
ICE agents support Cleveland Hopkins International Airport TSA operationsThe Cleveland Hopkins International Airport confirmed there are “federal partners on-site” to support TSA operations.
Read more »
ICE Agents Deployed to Airports to Assist TSA Amidst ShutdownDue to increasing TSA wait times and the ongoing government shutdown, federal immigration officers (ICE agents) have been deployed to assist TSA at several major airports. This move, initiated by President Trump, aims to alleviate the strain caused by unpaid TSA workers. Democrats oppose the move due to the recent immigration crackdown.
Read more »
Tips to find airport security wait times amid TSA staffing shortagesTravelers can reserve screening slots at some airports or use TSA PreCheck.
Read more »
Wrong Adams County: Sheriff denies arresting rapper Afroman amid caller frustrations'News update: We Did Not... arrest Rapper AfroMan.'
Read more »