FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Transportation Security Administration lines were once again stretching out the door at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s Terminal One on Sunday morning.
This as President Donald Trump says he is now considering a new plan to ease the strain at security checkpoints nationwide.
His idea is to deploy Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents to U.S. airports as soon as Monday if a funding fix for the Department of Homeland Security is not finalized.
“To work at TSA? Do they know how to do that?” asked traveler Riqui Alleyne.
Similar sentiments were felt by other passengers that Local 10 News’ Trent Kelly spoke to on Sunday morning.
“Are they going to wear masks on their face? Are they going to cover themselves?” asked traveler Anita Zen. “How are we going to know are they real ICE agents? Are they trained?”
The plan comes as a partial government shutdown continues to strain security, triggering TSA staffing shortages and terminal turmoil nationwide.
“You get stressed, you feel angry,” said Zen.
On social media, Trump pointed the finger at Democrats for the delays, something that Democrats dispute.
But big questions remain, including what role ICE would actually play.
TSA agents go through rigorous, regimented training to screen passengers and bags.
“These people are trained, the TSA are trained,” said Zen. “They take training. I’m nervous to have ICE.”
At FLL, travelers believe the solution should be swift and simple to stop the stalemate and solve the shutdown.
“I think they need to all get together and focus on our local human beings that are losing paychecks,” said traveler Sally Epstein.
Added Alleyne: “It’s unfortunate that that is the response to the travel backlog and all the stuff that is happening, as opposed to finding a way to get people back to work and get them paid.”
Trump also said that those ICE agents helping with airport security would also be arresting any immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally, a move many travelers say they strongly disagree with.
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