Houston Airports Brace for Increased ICE Presence During TSA Staffing Crisis

HOUSTON, Texas — Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport is facing unprecedented security delays, with wait times soaring to 220 minutes on March 22, 2026, due to a staffing crisis at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) exacerbated by a partial government shutdown. The situation has led federal officials to discuss deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to assist TSA operations at various airports nationwide.

On the morning of March 23, 2026, wait times at Houston's airports showed some improvement, with George Bush Intercontinental Airport reporting shorter lines: Terminal A South at 13 minutes, Terminal E at 5 minutes, and TSA PreCheck at just 3 minutes. Meanwhile, Hobby Airport's standard screening was at 12 minutes, and PreCheck at 6 minutes. Nevertheless, several checkpoints at Bush Airport remained closed, including Terminal A North, Terminal C South, and Terminal D, raising concerns about potential delays.

The staffing crisis has been attributed to a high call-out rate among TSA officers, which reached approximately 11.5% of the scheduled workforce on March 21, 2026. Many TSA employees have either quit or called out sick due to the financial strain of working without pay during the government shutdown, which began on February 14, 2026, over disagreements related to funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed support for bringing additional federal assets to help alleviate the long lines at airports. "If we can bring other assets and tools to assist TSA to get rid of these lines, yeah, I think that makes a lot of sense," Duffy said.

President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy ICE agents to assist with airport security, stating they would help guard exit lanes and check passenger IDs, but would not be involved directly with TSA screening processes. This decision has sparked mixed reactions from the public and lawmakers, with some expressing concern that the presence of immigration enforcement officers could heighten tensions among travelers already frustrated by delays.

White House border czar Tom Homan clarified that ICE agents would not perform TSA duties such as screening luggage or operating X-ray machines. Instead, their role would focus on ensuring unauthorized individuals do not access airport exit points, allowing TSA officers to concentrate on screening passengers and baggage.

Travelers are advised to plan accordingly, allowing extra time for their journeys and checking specific terminal conditions before arriving at the airport. Even when posted wait times appear manageable, checkpoint closures and staffing changes can quickly lead to backups.

According to sources familiar with the situation, ICE agents are expected to be deployed across 14 airports nationwide, with priority being placed on large airports that are experiencing the longest wait times. The situation at Houston's airports remains fluid, and it is still unclear whether ICE officers have already been deployed at Bush or Hobby airports.

Travelers are reminded to arrive at least three hours early for domestic flights and four hours for international flights due to the extended wait times. This guidance comes after reports indicated that the staffing shortages have resulted from the government shutdown and from a broader trend of TSA officers quitting their jobs.

With the partial government shutdown continuing, the pressure on TSA and airport operations is likely to persist, prompting travelers to adapt to potentially longer wait times and increased security measures. The situation highlights the challenges faced by federal agencies during funding disputes and raises questions about the long-term impacts on airport security and traveler experience.

For now, travelers at Houston airports can expect a stronger federal law enforcement presence, but the effectiveness of this deployment and its impact on security wait times remains to be seen.