In brief
In a surprising move during a government shutdown, federal immigration officers were observed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to help manage security. This marks a shift from their usual roles at international checkpoints, following President Trump's directive to bolster airport security.
ATLANTA (AP) — Federal immigration officers have been observed at an airport in Atlanta after President Donald Trump declared he would deploy agents to supplement the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) during a government shutdown that has resulted in long lines at security checkpoints nationwide.On Monday morning, a small number of federal agents were seen by The Associated Press near busy lines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.While federal agents are a common sight at international airports—where Customs and Border Protection officers conduct screenings of arriving travelers and Homeland Security Investigations agents oversee criminal cases related to smuggling, trafficking, and fraud—their presence at TSA security checkpoints is notable. This role is generally filled by transportation security officers, not federal investigators.Trump stated on Sunday that he would order federal immigration agents to airports to assist with security operations, aiming to alleviate the frustration faced by travelers during this period of lengthy delays.
