Massive Delays Hit US Airports
If you're flying into or out of the United States right now, brace yourself. A partial US government shutdown has left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents working without paycheques — and the knock-on effects are being felt at airports across the country, with travellers reporting waits of several hours just to clear security.
The situation has become severe enough that President Donald Trump has directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to supplement airport security operations, an unusual cross-deployment that underscores how stretched the system has become.
TSA Workers Without Pay
Like other federal employees caught in a government funding lapse, TSA officers are considered essential workers — meaning they're required to show up to work even when Congress hasn't passed a budget to pay them. During past shutdowns, this has led to widespread call-outs as employees can't afford childcare, gas, or other basic costs on zero income.
The result at security checkpoints is predictable: fewer staffed lanes, slower throughput, and frustrated passengers missing flights.
Why Deploy ICE?
ICE agents, who typically focus on immigration enforcement, are federal law enforcement officers with security training. In a pinch, the Trump administration has positioned them as a available workforce that can be redirected to fill gaps left by the TSA staffing crunch.
However, critics have raised questions about whether ICE agents have the specialized screening training that TSA officers receive — including the technical operation of X-ray machines, body scanners, and explosive detection systems. Airport security is a highly procedural discipline, and improvised staffing can introduce risk.
What This Means for Travellers
Anyone with US travel planned in the coming days should:
- Arrive early — US airport security wait times are currently unpredictable, with some airports reporting multi-hour queues
- Check your airline's status — some carriers are proactively rebooking passengers on affected routes
- Monitor the shutdown news — a budget deal could resolve the situation quickly, or the standoff could drag on for weeks
- Consider travel insurance — if you're booking new trips to the US, look for policies that cover delays or disruptions caused by government actions
Canadian travellers flying through US hub airports — including connections in Chicago, New York, Detroit, and Minneapolis — are particularly affected, as these large airports typically have the highest throughput and are feeling the staffing squeeze most acutely.
The Bigger Picture
This isn't the first time a US government shutdown has created airport havoc. The 35-day shutdown in 2018–2019 — the longest in US history at the time — saw TSA absenteeism spike significantly, forcing the FAA to ground flights in New York due to understaffing at air traffic control.
Whether the current shutdown resolves quickly or stretches further, the ripple effects for international travel — including for Canadians flying to US destinations or connecting through American hubs — are real and immediate.
Source: BBC News
