Iran War and DHS Shutdown Combine to Drive U.S. Air Travel Disruptions and Higher Fares
U.S. air travel is experiencing disruptions and higher fares as geopolitical tensions around Iran compound an already fraught spring travel season, and a partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown has left TSA officers unpaid since mid‑February, prompting resignations and call‑outs. To maintain airport security throughput during the shutdown, the administration has begun deploying ICE agents to assist TSA, a step confirmed by network reporting.
📌 Key Facts
- As of March 23, 2026, ICE agents have begun assisting TSA at U.S. airports — the administration’s plan has moved from proposal to active implementation.
- The ICE support is intended as a stopgap to help maintain airport security throughput during the ongoing partial government shutdown.
- CBS News has verified that ICE is now part of the measures being used to sustain airport security operations.
- TSA officers have been unpaid since mid‑February 2026.
- The unpaid status of TSA staff has led to resignations and call‑outs, which officials say necessitated bringing in ICE personnel to assist.
📊 Relevant Data
In the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which includes ICE, the workforce demographics as of 2023 show 51.7% White (non-Hispanic), 22.8% Hispanic or Latino, and 16.7% Black or African American employees, compared to U.S. population percentages of approximately 60% White, 19% Hispanic, and 13% Black.
Nearly 30% of ICE agents are Latino, outnumbering Black agents 2 to 1 and Asian agents by 4 to 1, based on 2020 data that remains relevant through 2023.
New Study Explores Why US Latinos Join ICE and Border Patrol — Latino Rebels
During the 2025 government shutdown, TSA experienced a more than 25% increase in officer separations compared to the previous year, with around 1,100 officers leaving in October and November 2025.
Oversight Hearing – Potential DHS Shutdown Impacts — TSA.gov
Black workers are disproportionately impacted by government shutdowns because they comprise a large portion of the federal workforce, with effects including missed paychecks for essential roles in agencies like DHS.
Partial Government Shutdown Looms as Battle Over DHS Funding Continues — Capital B News
The U.S. immigrant population grew by more than 2.4 million people from 2023 to 2024, representing about 5% growth, with significant increases from South and Central America.
Frequently Requested Statistics on Immigrants and Immigration in the United States — Migration Policy Institute
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that the administration’s plan to send ICE agents to assist TSA at airports has moved from proposal to active implementation.
- Reinforces that TSA officers have been unpaid since mid‑February, leading to resignations and call‑outs that necessitated ICE support.
- Provides a mainstream network TV verification that ICE is now part of the stopgap for maintaining airport security throughput during the shutdown.