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Homan fires back at CNN host over 'how well-thought-out' ICE airport deployment plan is
By Lindsay Kornick
Published March 23, 2026
White House border czar Tom Homan pushed back against CNN's Dana Bash Sunday morning after she asked Homan how "well-thought-out" a new plan to send immigration officers to help TSA agents could be.
Homan took questions on "State of the Union" regarding President Donald Trump's plan to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to assist TSA agents in airports across the country with hourslong lines caused by staffing shortages during the ongoing partial Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown.
Homan confirmed he was working with the directors of ICE and the TSA to construct "a well-thought-out plan to execute" for ICE officers by the afternoon.
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President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy ICE officers to help TSA agents. (Reuters)
"With respect, if you're doing this in 24 hours, how well-thought-out could it possibly be?" Bash asked.
"ICE has been at airports across the country for a long time. It's just expanding those things," Homan responded, adding, "How much of a plan does it mean to guard an exit to make sure no one comes through that exit?"
"I mean, we're talking about security options. And these officers are well-trained in security, and they're well-trained in identification. And, look, we're going to do what we can to help TSA move those people through the line," Homan said.
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Homan emphasized that he believes ICE agents will largely be used to relieve TSA agents of security measures based on enforcement that agents already execute at airports rather than screenings.
White House border czar Tom Homan spoke to CNN's Dana Bash about the upcoming plan to deploy ICE agents to airports. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
"I don't see an ICE agent looking at an X-ray machine, because we're not trained in that. But there are certain parts of security that TSA is doing that we can move them off those jobs and put them in the specialized jobs to help move those lines," Homan said.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the DHS defended Trump's plan to counter the Democrats' "pointless, reckless shutdown."
"While the Democrats continue to put the safety, dependability, and ease of our air travel at risk, President Trump is taking action to deploy hundreds of ICE officers, that are currently funded by Congress, to airports being adversely impacted. This will help bolster TSA efforts to keep our skies safe and minimize air travel disruptions," the statement read.
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TSA agents have gone without pay for over a month as Trump and Republicans battle with Democrats over funding for the DHS and ICE enforcement. TSA officers are considered essential employees and are required to report to work even during a shutdown, though pay can be delayed.
Travelers experienced extensive wait times Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (left, middle) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (right) due to the partial DHS government shutdown. (WVUE)
Airports across the country have reported huge numbers of employees calling out sick or not showing up for work. More than 400 TSA employees have quit their jobs.
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