As ICE set to help TSA agents with security at major airports, Rochester spared from the delays

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. — After TSA agents at many airports have gone weeks without pay amid the partial government shutdown, federal immigration agents are set to help with security at airports.

President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy ICE agents to airports comes after some travelers have faced hours-long wait times for screenings. However, Rochester’s airport has been spared from the delays. That’s because Rochester TSA agents get their checks from a private contractor, VMD Corp, rather than directly from the Department of Homeland Security. Congress has yet to reach an agreement to fund the department.

On the other hand, major airports aren’t contracted, leading to TSA agents walking out. One traveler told News10NBC that Newark International Airport in New Jersey was a “madhouse” compared to Rochester. ICE agents are set to head to those major hubs with long lines, which Rochester connects to.

Some travelers in other parts of the country shared their reaction to the planned ICE rollout. One traveler said she hopes that the rollout will help with the long lines.

“TSA is where the funds need to be made, and anything they can do to help out, I think that would be really beneficial for them,” she said.

Another traveler said he’s worried about ICE’s presence creating tension and deterring people from flying.

“Putting ICE in there just to me just elevates tensions unnecessarily. People may be afraid to fly because they think they’re going to be seized or detained,” he said.

The Trump administration plans to have ICE agents help TSA agents to guard exit lanes or check passenger IDs. Border Czar Tom Homan, named by Trump to lead the new airport security effort, has been meeting with a bipartisan group of senators over the partial shutdown. He hasn’t commented on which airports ICE agents would deploy to, citing security reasons.

Which other airports have contracted TSA workers?

At least 20 airports across the U.S. have TSA workers employed by private companies, rather than getting checks directly from the government. Here’s the list according to CNN: