Trump Orders Emergency Payments to Agents to Contain U.S. Airport Crisis
Posted on03/27/26 at 21:16
- Trump orders emergency payments for agents
- Airport crisis deepens
- Absenteeism disrupts flights
According to EFE, President Donald Trump announced he will sign an executive order to guarantee immediate payment to airport security agents amid an operational emergency caused by the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The lack of pay for thousands of agents has led to widespread absenteeism and major delays at airports, disrupting the air travel system nationwide as the country faces an airport security pay crisis.
Executive order aims to stop the US airport crisis
Trump said he will instruct Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to issue payments immediately.
The announcement was made through his Truth Social account.
The goal is to address what the president described as an “emergency situation.”
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It also seeks to “stop the chaos at airports.”
Security agents have continued working without pay due to the partial DHS shutdown.
This situation has directly impacted operations at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The budget impasse began on February 14.
Since then, several agencies have been left without discretionary funding.
Absenteeism and delays disrupt flights
The lack of pay has caused significant staff absences within the TSA workforce.
At William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, 40.3% of staff were absent this week.
At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, absenteeism reached 37.4%.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston reported a 36.1% absence rate.
Meanwhile, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport saw staffing drop by 34.9%.
These absences have resulted in long lines and extended wait times.
Thousands of passengers have been affected across United States airports nationwide.
Flight operations have experienced ongoing delays.
To mitigate the situation, the government deployed agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
These agents have been sent to more than 10 airports.
Additional measures and criticism
Border czar Tom Homan explained the role of ICE agents.
He said they would assist with tasks that do not require specialized training.
These include monitoring exits, managing lines, and controlling crowds.
However, the total number of deployed agents has not been specified.
Trump blamed the crisis on Democrats’ refusal to fully fund the DHS.
The disagreement centers on immigration policies and oversight of federal agents.
Political tensions escalated following immigration raids in January.
Two U.S. citizens died during those operations.
Pro-immigrant organizations have criticized the administration’s response.
Criticism intensified after Trump suggested the possibility of arrests by federal agents.
He later clarified that arrests are not the primary goal of the deployment.
The measure is presented as an effort to stabilize airport operations, while also reflecting broader political tensions surrounding security, immigration, and federal funding—key elements of the ongoing airport security pay crisis.