Finding a Solution | ICE in Our Airports & the Threat to Deploy ICE Agents to our Voting Booths

A commitment to work across the aisle to address issues

Carin Elam with research courtesy of Aashvi Geddam

Normalizing the Presence of ICE

At the end of last week, there appeared to be some movement on the terrible situation in the airports. It appeared that Congress had approved a funding bill for DHS but it fell apart again. Regardless of the funding issues, ICE agents remain inside our major airports. The Administration claims that this is happening because TSA is short staffed. But ICE can't perform TSA duties. So, they're present but offering no relief to the long lines.

Travelers are rightly concerned about their presence. People are stopped and asked extra questions and more document checks that normal. Some travelers, even U.S. citizens are getting pulled aside - the fear is not getting asked routine immigration questions but getting unjustly detained and placed in a camp. This is coming from decisions being made in D.C. And now it is showing up in everyday travel.

The President has placed ICE in the airports to normalize their presence on our streets - he began in city centers, now airports. He continues to float the idea that ICE will be present at voting centers during the midterms. Just the mention of ICE is an act of intimidation.

Democrats are Out of Power | What Can Be Done?

While meeting voters, I've been asked, with the Democrats are out of power, what can be done to push-back against DHS overreach? I remind them that Democrats are already pushing back. They're holding firm in their demands to reign-in ICE and refusing to fund immigration enforcement within the larger DHS funding bill.

But, my larger point about building a bipaertisan coalitiion, I share that Congressional leaders need to reach across the aisle and secure a few additional votes to pass the Senate's version of the funding bill - the bill that funds TSA but not ICE. Democrats must negotiate, pressure, convince the 16 Republicans not seeking reelection to do what's right for the country, and vote with Democrats. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) or Don Bacon (R-NE). Remind these GOP Representatives of their higher duty to the constituents who are affected by the current deadlock. Pressure these elected officials with the reality hat ICE has a ton of funding from the Big Beautiful Bill.

In addition, we need to look ahead to the upcoming elections. The President has threatened to use ICE agents in patrolling voting centers during the midterms. Congressional Democrats are planning legal actions to block these moves, but they should also seek a pledge from state-level Secretaries of State that they will enforce existing law. The Constitution states that it's "a federal crime for the military or federal agents to interfere in elections or intimidate voters".

Victor J. Blue for The New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/us/politics/tsa-union-ice-airport-security-trump.html