ICE agents deployed to airports during TSA shortage; none in Bay Area so far
ICE agents deployed at several U.S. airports
SFO and other Bay Area airports are not seeing ICE agents yet, but passengers coming into the Bay Area say they are seeing them at other airports across the country.
SAN FRANCISCO - Staffing shortages among Transportation Security Administration officers are causing long security lines at airports across the country, with travelers reporting delays from New York to Atlanta and Houston.
What we know:
At San Francisco International Airport, however, security lines remained manageable Sunday. None of the major Bay Area airports, including SFO, SJC in San Jose, nor Oakland International Airport had received notice of any ICE deployments as of Monday. In fact, no California airports are expected to receive ICE agents, according to the Associated Press, but the list of airports set to get ICE agents is subject to change.
ICE agents did arrest a woman Sunday night at the airport, officials confirmed, adding that the detainment was not part of the Trump administration's overall airport deployment. Why she was arrested wasn't immediately clear.
Screening at SFO is handled by private contractors rather than TSA agents, insulating the airport from the disruptions seen elsewhere.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday posted to social media, saying, nonetheless, it's crucial for Californians to know their legal rights and, "how to stay safe around Trump's federal agents."
ICE agents to deploy at US airports, but not in San Francisco
CE agents have arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to help manage growing security lines, which stretched outside the terminal on Monday morning. Neither SFO nor Oakland International Airport had received notice of any ICE deployments as of Monday.
He provided a link to a resource from the Immigrant Defense Project about the risks of domestic travel due to ICE's presence at airports.
Some tips include:
- Learn if you have a deportation order (an "order of removal"). If you have A number, call 800-898-7180 or visit the EOIR website. If you are unsure, consult with an attorney.
- Give a trusted loved one your A number (if you have one) and access to documents related to any immigration or criminal legal case.
- Share your travel information with your loved ones and keep them updated as you travel so they can find help if needed.
Big picture view:
Still, travelers arriving at SFO said their journeys were far from smooth.
"Terrible, they were too long," said traveler Richard, who encountered lengthy lines at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport before arriving at SFO.
"There was definitely a shortage," said his wife Nora.
ICE agents arrive at Atlanta airport as security lines stretch outside
ICE agents arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Monday to assist with security line management as TSA staffing shortages cause three-hour wait times.
The staffing issues come as some TSA workers have called out during a partial government shutdown, leaving many employees now in their second month of working without pay. Some 400 TSA workers have quit their jobs outright.
The funding standoff in Washington centers on the Department of Homeland Security, with Democrats pushing for changes to federal immigration operations.
In response, President Donald Trump has moved forward with plans to deploy U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to assist at airports, primarily with crowd control and line management. The move has raised concerns among some travelers. On Monday morning, it seemed the only airports with ICE agents were in Atlanta and Houston.
But orders for TSA agents from the Trump administration now include airports in Chicago, Cleveland, New York, New Orleans, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Newark, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Fort Myers.
The president said he's recommending ICE agents not wear their masks when working at airports.
So far there is no word on how long the ICE airport deployments will last.
What they're saying:
"Aside from any political feelings that I might have about ICE, which I certainly do, I don’t think you solve a staffing issue by bringing in people who aren’t trained to do that staff’s job," said Kat Morgan of Oakland, who recently traveled through New York's JFK Airport.
Morgan said she experienced long waits there but found SFO to be a relief.
"I feel a little spoiled going through SFO," said Morgan. "It’s a major concern when they are anywhere."
Two travelers who came in to SFO from Phoenix said they saw ICE agents at the Phoenix airport and that they might have been getting some training.
"They were by the security check area. I think they were just being trained or something," said Connor, a passenger who did not give a last name. "They didn't do anything with the people that were going through security, but you could see that they were setting them up and stuff."
Others said the sight of ICE agents at security checks was unnerving.
"It's a little scary. It's a little like Nazi Germany right now," said Eli Jensen, another traveler who flew in from Phoenix.
State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) speaking at SFO said ICE wasn't welcome at SFO or any Bay Area airport.
"We don't need ICE or border patrol or any of these other thugs in our city or at our airport. They're not welcome here and they need to stay the hell out," said Wiener.