Security chaos at Atlanta airport worsens as TSA agents are strained
Security lines at the Atlanta airport have spilled over to baggage claim as the partial government shutdown exacerbates TSA staffing shortages.
President Donald Trump said on March 21 that he would order Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to guard U.S. airports unless Congress struck a deal to “immediately” fund TSA airport security personnel.
In a social media post, President Trump said he would have ICE agents not only guard airports, but also arrest people who entered the United States without authorization.
“We look forward to seeing ICE in action at our airports. Let’s Make America Great Again!” the president posted.
Approximately 50,000 TSA airport security agents have been forced to work without pay over the past month due to the partial government shutdown.
The shutdown began after Democrats denied funding to the Department of Homeland Security, which includes both TSA and ICE officers, and lasted until DHS changed its immigration policies. Republicans rejected a proposal from Democrats to pass funding only to DHS’s nonimmigrant enforcement division, which includes the TSA.
Many employees are not coming to work as the funding shortage continues. The Trump administration announced that 10% of TSA employees did not report to work on Sunday, March 15th. By comparison, the typical no-show rate during normal business hours is less than 2%.
Contributed by: Reuters
