For nearly two months, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been shut down. This means no pay for all travel agents, including TSA employees. As the absence of these essential workers increases during the shutdown, airports across the nation experience pandemonium.
The DHS shut down on Feb. 14, 2026. Shutdowns result from Congress failing to pass legislation, causing federal agencies to either close completely or carry on without the support of the government. As disagreements over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reforms were had within Congress, bills that funded immigration enforcement, along with airport security, failed to pass. As a result, funding for immigration enforcement was blocked, ultimately preventing government funds from supporting travel agency operations.
An airport depends on employees serving a variety of roles. When one person does not show up to work, another has to take their place. According to bbc.com, 42.3% of TSA agents at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport were absent on March 22, 2026, and about one-third of George Bush Intercontinental Airport employees in Houston, Texas, called out of work. Large absences from major airports can fuel stress for workers and travelers alike.
Due to the shortage of travel officers, lines at major airports have grown significantly. Backups at the San Diego International Airport even stretched into the street. Some airports have seen waits up to six hours. These multi-hour waits have even caused some travelers to sleep inside the airport to maximize efficiency.
As chaos sprawls across major airports, President Donald Trump has appointed ICE agents to supervise airports in 11 different cities with the intent of making sure they are operating smoothly. Trump claims that ICE is to work a supporting role for the industrious TSA agents while also maintaining suspicion for any activity involving illegal activities. Differing opinions surround Trump’s decision. Some think that deploying ICE in airports is problematic and will only heighten existing conflicts, while others believe they will be successful in improving the troublesome airport experience during the shutdown.
The recent shutdown has had notable effects on the travel experience. With many airport workers gone, disorder has seen an immense increase. The president’s plan to counter these effects has raised concern over its potential outcomes. Uncertainty regarding the government shutdown and its effects heightens tension within Congress as it continues. Will the shutdown end smoothly and swiftly, or will Easter be a disaster for the flyer?
