Canadians travelling to the U.S. can expect ICE agents at these airports
Canadians who have upcoming travel plans to the United States will likely encounter Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at some airports.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been shut down since funding ran out in mid-February, and as President Donald Trump and congressional democrats butt heads on a deal, travel is being heavily impacted.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) falls under the DHS, which means TSA employees have been working without pay for over a month. TSA absences reached their highest level over the weekend, resulting in hours-long security lines in major airports in the U.S.
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According to the White House, over 400 TSA officers had quit as of March 22.
In response, Trump has deployed ICE agents to some of the busiest airports in America in an attempt to support the TSA.
“On Monday, ICE will be going to airports to help our wonderful TSA Agents who have stayed on the job,” he said in a Truth Social post on Sunday.
As of Monday, CNN reported that ICE agents have been deployed to 14 major airports:
- Chicago-O’Hare International Airport
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York)
- LaGuardia Airport (New York)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
- Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
- Newark Liberty International Airport
- Philadelphia International Airport
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Pittsburgh International Airport
- Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers, Florida)
- Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport
A source told the news outlet that the list is subject to change.
How will ICE agents assist TSA?
An ICE officer works at a TSA security checkpoint in Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on March 23, 2026. (© Mark Henle/The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
ICE doesn’t have a good reputation, given its violent immigration crackdown and what human rights groups are calling “unlawful arrests” that agents have executed in the U.S. in the past year.
The first month of 2026 saw a spike in deaths involving ICE, with reports of six immigrants who died in the agency’s custody. Two U.S. citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, were shot and killed by ICE agents during protests in Minneapolis in January.
So, it would be understandable if Canadian travellers were nervous about encountering these agents at airports.
CNN’s source said some agents may monitor lines of passengers, while others help with bins at security.
U.S. border czar Tom Homan told CNN’s State of the Union over the weekend that ICE agents would help the TSA cover support tasks to free up employees for more specialized roles.
These responsibilities could include guarding exits or non-screening tasks. For those concerned about ICE agents making arrests at airports, Homan told CNN that those deployed at airports shouldn’t be conducting immigration enforcement or randomly arresting travellers.
A traveller talks to a group of ICE agents walking around Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday, March 23, 2026, in Newark. (© Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
“This is about helping TSA do their mission and getting the American public through that airport as quick as they can, while adhering to all the security guidelines and the protocols,” he explained.
Still, ICE has the authority to arrest anyone who may be flagged in the system with existing deportation orders or warrants.
In a Truth Social post on Monday, Trump said that while he’s a “BIG proponent of ICE wearing masks,” he “would greatly appreciate, however, NO MASKS,” while helping the TSA at airports.
Despite the rollout of ICE agents at airports, passengers reportedly haven’t seen their presence improve wait times.
Canadians have shared their disdain for ICE, creating a petition demanding the federal government cut ties with the agency. As of Tuesday, the petition has close to 14,000 signatures.