Travelers across major U.S. airports faced severe delays on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, with security wait times spiking to nearly five hours at some locations due to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortages.
The crisis, caused by Senate Democrats blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has led to a partial government shutdown that has severely disrupted airport operations. TSA officers—working without pay during the shutdown—have reported callout rates exceeding 40 percent at key airports. At George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, wait times reached nearly five hours on Tuesday, with about 42 percent of TSA officers calling out. Passengers were warned they might not make it through security in time for their flights. Similar issues emerged at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where travelers were advised to arrive at least four hours early.
To mitigate the strain, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were deployed to assist at 14 airports, including locations in Atlanta, New York City, Newark, Houston, and New Orleans. The partial government shutdown has left hundreds of thousands of DHS employees working without pay, with TSA officers being particularly impacted. More than 400 TSA officers have reportedly resigned, and reports indicate some workers are resorting to extreme measures such as selling blood due to financial hardship.
In response, President Donald J. Trump ordered ICE agents to support airport operations. Unlike TSA employees, who are going without pay, ICE personnel continue to receive their salaries during the shutdown. Negotiations to resolve the funding stalemate remain ongoing, with lawmakers considering a proposal that would fund most DHS operations while excluding certain ICE activities. The plan could include new requirements such as body cameras and limits on immigration enforcement, which Democrats oppose.
