President Donald Trump announced Sunday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will be deployed to airports across the United States starting Monday to support Transportation Security Administration operations, as staffing shortages worsen during the ongoing partial government shutdown.

In a Truth Social message, Trump said ICE personnel would step in to back TSA officers who have remained on duty despite not receiving pay. He had already cautioned a day earlier that such a move would be implemented if congressional Democrats continued to withhold funding for airport security operations.

White House border czar Tom Homan confirmed the plan, explaining that the additional manpower is intended to ease growing congestion at airport checkpoints during a high-volume travel period. Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Homan said ICE agents would assist in managing crowds as TSA faces reduced staffing levels, with many employees working without pay amid the shutdown.

“It’s a work in progress, but we will be at airports tomorrow, helping T.S.A. move those lines along,” Homan said.

Homan noted that key logistical details were still being worked out, including how many agents would be deployed and which airports would receive assistance. He said priority would likely go to airports experiencing the most severe delays, with wait times in some locations reportedly stretching to three hours. Additional information on the rollout was expected later in the day.

He also explained that ICE agents already assigned to airport locations could shift into support roles such as overseeing exits and other areas outside the main screening process, freeing TSA personnel to concentrate on passenger security checks.

“This is about helping T.S.A. do their mission, and get the American public through that airport as quick as they can, while adhering to all the security guidelines and the protocols,” Homan said.

Democratic leaders quickly objected to the plan. Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York argued that placing ICE agents in airport security environments could create safety concerns, noting that they are not trained to perform TSA duties.

Trump reiterated his stance in additional social media posts, saying ICE officers stand ready to be deployed as long as the funding standoff continues. He added that the effort would also support broader immigration enforcement, including detaining individuals in the country illegally.

The move comes as the partial shutdown has led to significant disruptions at airports nationwide. Although TSA workers are considered essential and have continued reporting to work, they have gone without paychecks, leading to increasing absenteeism and a growing number of resignations since the shutdown began in mid-February.

Talks to resolve the funding dispute remain ongoing. Senate Democrats have sought legislation to ensure TSA workers receive back pay, while Republicans have pressed for comprehensive funding of the Department of Homeland Security. Discussions between lawmakers and the White House have shown signs of movement, though no final agreement has been reached.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned that if negotiations drag on, conditions at airports could deteriorate further as passenger traffic continues to build.