Palm Springs airport unaffected as ICE agents deploy to U.S. airports amid TSA staffing crisis
PSP says no immigration agents are on site and security wait times remain under 15 minutes, even as airports nationwide struggle.
Palm Springs International Airport is operating without disruption, with no Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel on site and security wait times running between zero and 15 minutes, airport officials said Monday.
Airport spokesperson Jake Ingrassia credited TSA officers at PSP for keeping operations running smoothly despite an ongoing federal funding lapse that has left the agency’s employees working without pay.
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“We are especially grateful to our TSA officers, who continue to show up every day with professionalism and dedication despite the challenges of the federal government shutdown,” Ingrassia said. “Because of their commitment to our travelers and our community, security wait times remain typical.”
Ingrassia said airport officials will continue monitoring the situation and coordinating with federal partners. “PSP will keep our community informed if anything changes, but for now, travelers can continue to expect the smooth, easy experience they rely on when flying PSP,” he said.
The picture is different elsewhere. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Monday that hundreds of ICE agents have been deployed to more than a dozen airports nationwide — including John F. Kennedy International in New York and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International — to fill gaps left by TSA staffing shortages.
TSA’s funding has lapsed since Feb. 14 amid a budget standoff between the Trump administration and congressional Democrats. More than 300 TSA employees have quit since the shutdown began and many others have called out from work, according to DHS, creating congestion at security checkpoints across the country.
The deployment of ICE agents to assist with non-screening duties has drawn criticism from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers.
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