Partnership for Public Service statement on Trump administration’s deployment of ICE agents to airports 

March 23, 2026

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the following statement from President and CEO Max Stier in response to the Trump administration’s deployment of ICE agents to U.S. airports to fill Transportation Security Administration staffing gaps stemming from the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown: 

“Make no mistake – the long security lines and chaos at our airports right now is the fault of our elected officials. Our TSA agents do critical work to keep us safe as we travel, and they should never be put in a position where they have to work without pay because our lawmakers failed their constitutional duty to keep our government fully open and operational.  

“However, deploying ICE agents to fill these staffing gaps is a misuse of highly-specialized public servants for important jobs that they are not trained to do. This ill-informed decision is a waste of taxpayer resources and does nothing to address the long-term personnel and public safety challenges posed by this ongoing DHS shutdown. It is long past time for Congress and the Trump administration to reach an agreement to fund the agency and end government shutdowns once and for all.” 

Stier continued, “Further, as the nomination process for Rep. Markwayne Mullin to lead DHS continues, we urge Congress to prioritize improving morale and public service delivery at the agency in the consideration of his candidacy. Our recent Public Service Viewpoint Survey of DHS employees found over half of respondents feel they are less engaged compared to the same time last year, and nearly 40% believe they are worse at delivering quality services than they were one year ago. No agency can effectively serve the public with such a malfunctional workplace, and the next leader of DHS must be held accountable for positive change.” 

 During the past 25 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees.      

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