Long security lines continue to plague travelers at major airports, raising concerns over new federal presence.
Category: Politics
HOUSTON, Texas — A perfect storm of staffing shortages and security delays has left travelers at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Hobby Airport feeling the strain, with wait times recently ballooning to alarming levels. On March 22, 2026, TSA line wait times reached a staggering 220 minutes at George Bush Airport, prompting federal officials to explore deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to assist during the partial government shutdown.
The staffing crisis stems from a combination of TSA agents quitting or calling out sick, with many working without pay since the shutdown began on February 14. According to TSA data, the agency reported a call-out rate of about 11.5% of scheduled officers on March 21, the highest rate seen during this period. This staffing shortage has led to long lines, prompting some airports to recommend that travelers arrive three hours early for domestic flights and four hours early for international flights.
On the morning of March 23, 2026, wait times at Houston airports showed signs of improvement, with Terminal A South at 13 minutes and Terminal E at just 5 minutes. Hobby Airport reported standard screening wait times of 12 minutes and TSA PreCheck at 6 minutes. Nevertheless, several checkpoints at George Bush Airport remained closed, including Terminal A North, Terminal C South, and Terminal D, which could lead to potential delays for travelers arriving later.
Federal officials have indicated that ICE agents may be deployed to assist TSA operations at 14 airports nationwide, though it remains unclear if Houston's airports will be among them. President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that ICE agents could begin assisting at airports by guarding exit lanes or checking passenger IDs, but they will not be involved directly with TSA screening processes. This plan aims to alleviate some pressure on TSA officers, allowing them to focus on screening and reducing the lengthy wait times.
Tom Homan, the White House border czar, emphasized that ICE agents would not be taking over TSA duties, stating, "Certainly, a highly trained ICE law enforcement officer can cover an exit, making sure people don't go through those exits, entering the airport through the exits. Stuff like that relieves that TSA officer to go to screening and to reduce those lines." He acknowledged, though, that ICE agents are not trained for tasks like operating X-ray machines.
Travelers have expressed mixed feelings about the potential presence of ICE agents at airports. Some worry that their involvement could heighten tensions among already frustrated travelers, especially during peak travel times. One traveler voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of ICE agents, stating, "There's no reason to believe they'll be trained to do it. Only havoc can be expected." Conversely, another traveler noted, "If it helps relieve some of the strain TSA is facing, then it would be nice to have some help, especially at those airports that are backed up."
The partial government shutdown, which has been a contentious issue among lawmakers, stems from disagreements over funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Democrats have demanded reforms to ICE before agreeing to any funding, which has left many TSA workers and other DHS employees without pay. Reports indicate that over 400 TSA officers have quit, and thousands have called out of work since the shutdown began, exacerbating the already challenging situation at airports.
Travelers are advised to stay informed about terminal-specific conditions before heading to the airport, even when posted wait times appear manageable. The situation can change rapidly, and checkpoint closures can lead to sudden backups.
With the federal plan still being finalized and the staffing crisis showing no signs of resolution, travelers at Houston airports should prepare for potential delays and a heightened law enforcement presence. The situation remains fluid, and updates from federal officials will be closely monitored by both airport authorities and travelers alike.
For now, the message is clear: travelers should plan accordingly, allow extra time, and remain aware of changing conditions at Houston's airports.