JFK Airport Chaos: ICE Deployed as TSA Shutdown Hits Day 38

JFK Airport in Crisis: ICE Agents Deployed as TSA Shutdown Chaos Hits Day 38

If you're flying through New York this week, you need to know what's happening at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports right now. A 38-day DHS partial government shutdown has triggered a cascading staffing collapse at the Transportation Security Administration, pushing wait times to extraordinary lengths and forcing the Trump administration to deploy ICE agents to major airports — including JFK Terminal 5 — to manage surging crowds. Here's everything travelers need to know, plus the latest on a separate Kennedy family story making headlines.

What's Causing the Airport Security Meltdown?

The crisis traces back to February 14, 2026, when a partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security began. Now entering its 38th day, the shutdown has inflicted what the White House estimates to be a $2.5 billion economic loss — and the human toll on the TSA workforce has been staggering.

On a single Sunday in the week before March 23, more than 3,400 TSA officers — nearly 12% of the entire TSA workforce — called out, citing financial hardship from missed paychecks. That same week, wait times at a Houston airport reached a jaw-dropping six hours. Since the shutdown began, over 400 TSA officers have quit outright, shrinking a workforce that was already stretched thin.

The political deadlock driving the shutdown centers on DHS funding. Democrats have pledged to block any DHS funding bill unless it includes reforms, following the fatal shootings of two protesters during an immigration enforcement action in Minnesota. Republicans have resisted those conditions, leaving airports — and millions of travelers — caught in the crossfire.

For real-time updates on wait times at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark, USA Today is tracking TSA wait times live.

ICE Agents at JFK and Newark: What Does It Mean for Travelers?

On March 23, 2026, President Trump announced the deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, and 11 other major U.S. airports to assist with the security backlog. ICE agents were spotted at JFK Terminal 5 and Newark Airport within hours of the announcement.

However, there's a critical limitation travelers should understand: ICE agents are not trained to operate TSA screening equipment. They cannot work X-ray machines or conduct the specialized screening procedures required at security checkpoints. Their role is limited to:

• Covering exits and entry points
• Checking identification documents
• Managing crowd flow and queue organization
• Maintaining order in congested terminal areas

This means ICE deployment does not directly reduce screening wait times — it only helps manage the crowds that form as a result of understaffed checkpoints. As reports confirm, the fundamental bottleneck — too few trained TSA screeners — remains unresolved as long as the shutdown continues.

Additional Chaos: LaGuardia Closure and Newark Ground Stop

The staffing crisis wasn't the only source of disruption at New York-area airports this week. Two pilots were killed at LaGuardia Airport, forcing a closure of the airport for several hours — adding significant delays to an already overwhelmed regional air travel system. A brief ground stop at Newark compounded the disruption, creating a cascading effect of missed connections and rebookings across all three major New York metro airports.

In a separate, unusual incident, a JFK-bound flight was forced to turn around after the aircraft struck a coyote on the tarmac — a reminder that even on a normal day, JFK operations can be unpredictable.

For travelers with upcoming flights through any New York-area airport, the combination of TSA understaffing, ICE presence, recent tragic incidents at LaGuardia, and potential for further ground stops makes early arrival — at least 3 to 4 hours before departure — strongly advisable for the foreseeable future.

Practical Tips for Flying Through JFK, LGA, or EWR Right Now

If you have no choice but to travel through New York airports during this crisis, here's how to give yourself the best chance of making your flight:

• Arrive early — very early. Standard advice says two hours for domestic, three for international. During this shutdown, add at least one to two additional hours.
• Enroll in TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. While PreCheck lines are also affected by reduced staffing, dedicated lanes typically move faster than standard screening. CLEAR can help you skip the ID verification portion of the line.
• Check real-time wait times before you leave. USA Today's live tracker is currently monitoring JFK, LGA, and EWR wait times.
• Pack light and follow TSA rules. Secondary screening or rejected bags will cost you precious time you don't have right now.
• Know your airline's rebooking policy. Given the disruption, many carriers are offering fee waivers. Check your airline's website before assuming you'll make a tight connection.
• Consider off-peak departure times. Early morning flights (before 6 a.m.) tend to have shorter security lines before the daily rush builds.

JFK's Grandson Weighs In: Trump and the Profile in Courage Award

Separate from the airport chaos, the Kennedy name returned to headlines this week for a different reason. Jack Schlossberg — grandson of President John F. Kennedy — addressed the possibility of Donald Trump ever receiving the prestigious Profile in Courage Award, presented annually by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston.

In an interview with MS Now on March 23, Schlossberg was direct: Trump is "not in the running anytime soon." He outlined several conditions Trump would need to meet, including admitting to crimes and stepping down from office — a scenario Schlossberg described as highly unlikely.

The 2026 Profile in Courage Award, to be presented at a ceremony on May 31 at the JFK Presidential Library in Boston, will instead honor Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and the people of the Twin Cities of Minnesota — the latter recognition coming in the wake of the fatal shootings of two protesters during immigration enforcement actions, the same events that have prolonged the DHS shutdown.

Read Schlossberg's full comments on Trump and the Courage Award here.

Frequently Asked Questions: JFK Airport and the TSA Shutdown

How long are TSA wait times at JFK right now?

As of March 24, 2026, wait times at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark are significantly above normal due to the DHS shutdown. At peak times, travelers have reported waits of two to four hours at major checkpoints. Houston's airport hit six hours on one of the worst days. Check live tracking tools before you leave for the airport.

Why are ICE agents at JFK airport?

President Trump deployed ICE agents to JFK and 13 other airports on March 23, 2026, to assist with crowd management amid severe TSA staffing shortages caused by the DHS partial shutdown. ICE agents can manage queues and check IDs but are not qualified to operate TSA screening equipment, so they do not directly speed up security lines.

When will the TSA staffing crisis end?

The crisis will not resolve until Congress passes a DHS funding bill and ends the partial shutdown. As of March 24, the shutdown is in its 38th day with no deal in sight. Democrats are conditioning their support on DHS reform measures; Republicans have not agreed to those terms.

Is TSA PreCheck worth it during the shutdown?

Yes — PreCheck lanes are generally moving faster than standard lanes, even with reduced staffing. If you travel frequently through major airports and don't have PreCheck, now is a good time to apply. CLEAR membership can also reduce time spent at the identity verification stage.

What is the Profile in Courage Award?

The Profile in Courage Award is an annual honor presented by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. It recognizes elected officials who have demonstrated political courage by taking principled stands despite personal or political risk. The 2026 ceremony is scheduled for May 31 and will honor Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and the people of the Twin Cities of Minnesota.

Conclusion: What Travelers Need to Know Now

JFK Airport — and the entire New York tri-airport system — is operating under extraordinary stress. The 38-day DHS partial government shutdown has gutted TSA staffing levels, driven mass callouts, pushed experienced officers to quit, and forced an unconventional response with ICE agents managing terminal crowds. Add in the tragic incidents at LaGuardia and ongoing political deadlock in Washington, and the picture for New York air travelers is challenging.

The bottom line: if you're flying through JFK, LGA, or EWR in the coming days, plan for significant delays. Arrive early, check live wait times, and have a backup plan. Until Congress resolves the DHS funding standoff, there is no quick fix on the horizon — and for now, patience and preparation are the only tools available to travelers navigating one of the country's busiest and most disrupted airports.