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As Transportation Security Administration officers continue working without pay during the ongoing partial government shutdown, President Donald Trump has proposed a new approach to airport security.
In a social media post, President Trump stated that if Congress does not immediately pass a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, he would deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports to assist with security.
At Philadelphia International Airport, travelers expressed mixed reactions about whether ICE agents would be suited for airport security roles.
"I think having ICE agents wouldn't be appropriate," said Savannah Sorowice.
Conversely, an airport worker believed ICE agents would be more than qualified to help.
Lamar Weaver, traveling to Cincinnati, voiced concerns about training and preparedness.
"Are they going to handle it the way it's supposed to be handled?" Weaver asked. "Do they have the emotional intelligence to do it the way it's supposed to be done?"
Weaver added that the issue is personal to him.
"I have a godmother that works in TSA, so I know firsthand the challenges that arise when they're not paid," he said.
DeMarcus Davis, traveling to Puerto Rico, expressed support for the idea.
"If it's making America safe, why not?" Davis said. "Any help is better than no help."
President Trump has not specified the exact roles ICE agents would assume at airports but indicated they would be prepared to arrest individuals in the country illegally.
Cinderella Rivenburg, flying to Tokyo, said her concerns extend beyond logistics.
"It is a bit scary because a lot of the news we hear about ICE is very frightening," Rivenburg said.
"ICE agents here would create a very stressful travel environment that wouldn't improve lines or efficiency," said Dan Levine.
Currently, there are no announced changes to airport security operations. A spokesperson for Philadelphia International Airport directed CBS News Philadelphia to the Department of Homeland Security for comment. DHS has not yet responded.
In:
- Philadelphia International Airport
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Donald Trump
- Transportation Security Administration
- Government Shutdown
- Philadelphia
