Mayor Jacob Frey questions Trump’s plan to deploy ICE at airports amid ongoing TSA staffing strain
Federal airport security plan draws local criticism as shutdown pressures mount
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized President Donald Trump’s announced plan to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel to U.S. airports to support Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations, arguing the move is not primarily aimed at improving traveler safety. In remarks responding to the proposal, Frey said, “He doesn’t actually mean he’s going to keep people secure.”
The proposed deployment is tied to operational stress at airports during a prolonged funding lapse affecting the Department of Homeland Security. TSA officers have faced staffing and morale challenges in the absence of stable pay and regular staffing conditions, raising concerns about longer lines and disruptions for travelers. The administration framed the ICE deployment as an immediate measure to bolster airport security and relieve pressure on existing screening staff.
What the administration says ICE would do at airports
Public descriptions of the plan indicate ICE personnel would not replace TSA screeners operating checkpoint equipment. Instead, the additional staff would be used in roles adjacent to screening—such as monitoring exit lanes, assisting with ID-checking functions, and supporting crowd-flow management—tasks that can help airports maintain throughput when staffing is thin.
Even with that narrower scope, the plan raised questions about training and mission alignment. TSA’s core function is aviation security screening and checkpoint operations, while ICE’s primary role is immigration enforcement and related investigations. The prospect of immigration agents taking visible roles in airport security operations has also prompted concerns that routine travel could become more contentious, particularly in already-frustrated airport environments.
Why Minneapolis officials are paying close attention
Frey’s comments come against a backdrop of heightened sensitivity in Minnesota regarding federal immigration enforcement activity. City leaders have repeatedly emphasized that Minneapolis police are not responsible for enforcing federal immigration law, while also calling for clarity on how federal operations affect local public safety and community trust.
“He doesn’t actually mean he’s going to keep people secure.” — Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey
Key questions now facing airports and travelers
Operational clarity: Which airport functions will ICE staff handle, and under what supervision structure?
Traveler experience: Whether the added presence of immigration agents changes traveler behavior, conflict risk, or perceptions of safety.
Accountability and scope: How the program will be evaluated and whether it expands beyond short-term support.
As airports prepare for continued high-volume travel periods, the immediate impact will depend on how quickly personnel can be deployed, how duties are defined on-site, and whether the underlying budget dispute is resolved in time to restore normal staffing and pay conditions.