Homan insists ICE ‘highly trained’ for airport security in TSA support role

Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, Homan said ICE officers would not replace TSA agents but instead fill gaps created by staffing shortages during the Department of Homeland Security shutdown. 

“There’s TSA agents covering exits … certainly a highly trained ICE law enforcement officer could cover an exit,” he said, describing how agents could help free TSA personnel for screening duties. 

“I don’t see an ICE agent looking at an X-ray machine because you’re not trained in that,” Homan added, emphasizing that officers would stay within their expertise. 

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he would be directing ICE to assist TSA after weeks of delays tied to the funding standoff, which has left many TSA workers unpaid and contributed to long security lines at major airports.

Homan said he is meeting with TSA officials on Sunday to outline a plan to integrate ICE officers into