ICE agents begin patrols at JFK Airport in New York, Newark Airport in New Jersey
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began patrolling John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Monday, amid long lines for Transportation Security Administration screenings.
Border Czar Tom Homan told CNN that agents will work on crowd control and be stationed at entrances and exits to provide security so TSA agents can focus on getting passengers screened and on their flights. ICE will not help with security screenings, according to Homan. President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that he would send agents to airports, after suggesting the idea on Saturday on Truth Social.
Travelers have seen longer-than-normal lines after TSA agents went without their first full paycheck on Friday, prompting dozens to quit and thousands to call out of work, according to DHS.
It is unclear whether agents will also conduct immigration sweeps while stationed at JFK and Newark.
Mr. Trump said on Monday that he has asked agents to take off their masks while at airports.
"I didn't think the masks were appropriate," Trump said. "They should wear a mask when they are dealing with the murderers and the thugs."
The deployment of agents has been met with backlash, including from the Democratic delegation in New Jersey. New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Trump is creating "chaos" for Americans by stationing agents.
"Trump's ICE has a track record of making communities less safe, and sending untrained ICE agents to staff our airports is not an acceptable solution. Instead, it's time for Donald Trump and Washington Republicans to do their jobs and fund TSA," she said in a statement.
Senator Cory Booker called for ICE to "immediately withdraw from airports across the nation."
"Donald Trump has caused the TSA lines, and now he is doubling down and making it worse by bringing in a reckless, armed, out-of-control agency into our airports," Booker said.
Travelers react to ICE presence in airports
Travelers had mixed opinions about ICE agents assisting at airports.
"It feels kind of intimidating, seeing ICE just walking past us. I am like are they going to help us? Are they just intimidating uus passing by?" one passenger said.
"I would prefer that [ICE agents] weren't [at airports], but I would also prefer to make it home on time," Washington resident Melissa Shumake said.
Some other travelers are hoping they'll help reduce wait times at TSA.
"I am not opposed to anyone helping my travel getting back and forth to be better and more efficient, and I actually feel safer knowing that at least we're doing something," Dr. Phyllis Alongi said.
Newark flights stopped
Flights at Newark Airport stopped around 7:30 a.m. Monday morning, after smoke was reported inside the air traffic control tower.
Hundreds of flights were affected by the incident as air traffic control was forced to move to another tower.
The ground stop at Newark lasted an hour before operations returned to normal around 8:30 a.m. Passengers are encouraged to check any flight delays through their airline.
It marked the second major airport in the Tri-State Area to institute a ground stop Monday.
LaGuardia fatal crash
All flights at LaGuardia Airport in Queens have been stopped until at least 2 p.m. after a fatal crash between a plane and an emergency vehicle.
The collision happened late Sunday night as a fire truck was responding to a strange odor from a United Airlines flight, and air traffic control had allegedly cleared it to cross the runway. However, moments later, audio recordings heard officers telling the truck to stop before it collided with an Air Canada Express plane operated by Jazz Aviation, which was landing on the runway.
The pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash, and 39 passengers were taken to the hospital along with the two people operating the truck.
Dozens of flights have been canceled at the airport.
