Donald Trump said Saturday he will deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to US airports on Monday if an agreement isn’t reached to fund the Department of Homeland Security amid a partial government shutdown.
It is unclear what function the ICE agents would perform since they’re not trained in airport security screening. TSA screeners have a several months-long training period before they’re on the job, though airline employees and private security companies have partnered on line controlling and guarding exit doors.
The agents could potentially help in more limited roles — like managing lines, directing passengers or helping move people through the checkpoint process — to free up trained TSA officers for critical security functions.
That ought to blow over well. Nothing could possibly go wrong with jackboot thugs being asked to manage lines and direct passengers.
Remember folks, be sure to wear your “Fuck ICE” and “Abolish ICE” t-shirts to the airports this week. Be loud and be proud.
Oh man I’m the other way around, I just want to get on my flight. Last time the body scanner guy tried to ask me why I was opting out, and I told him to go ask on the internet. There’s a severe power imbalance and if he wants to chat about it, then I expect him to decide I said the wrong thing.
Like, I get that most of them just need to pay rent. My issue with it is systemic, not personal. But there are some guys who are just looking for excuses to mess up your day. Why mess with them while I’m vulnerable and they’re getting paid by the hour?
That’s just TSA. I think a much higher percentage of ICE wants to go above and beyond while in costume.