March 27 looks like a make-or-break day for American travelers and the partial government shutdown
TSA wait times are ramping up as the partial government shutdown persists — but pain points on March 27 could end it
The ongoing partial government shutdown has sparked long wait times at many airports around the country — and it could get much worse in a week, as Transportation Security Administration workers look set to miss another paycheck on March 27.
At the same time, the threat of even more delays at airport security checkpoints just might push Democratic and Republican lawmakers into making a funding deal that ends the shutdown, which began Feb. 14 and is hitting only the Department of Homeland Security. The TSA is a part of that agency.
U.S. lawmakers have March 27 circled on their calendars for another reason as well: It’s the last date that both chambers of Congress are slated to be in session in Washington before starting a two-week break.
Enhanced role for immigration officers at US airports as shutdown frustrates travels and screeners
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s decision to order federal immigration agents to U.S. airports to help with security during a budget impasse is drawing concerns that their presence may escalate tensions among air travelers frustrated over hourslong waits and screeners angry about missed paychecks.
Trump made clear on Sunday that he was going ahead with the plan to have immigration enforcement officers assist the Transportation Security Administration by guarding exit lanes or checking passenger IDs unless Democrats agreed to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats are demanding major changes to federal immigration operations and showing no sign of backing down.
Staff absences soar at some US airports as ICE agents prepare to screen travelers
March 22 (Reuters) – Absences among transportation security workers this weekend reached their highest since a partial government shutdown began five weeks ago, the Department of Homeland Security said on Sunday, as immigration enforcement agents prepared to fill in for them at some of the busiest U.S. airports.