Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been stationed at more than 14 airports nationwide, including O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, as of March 25. According to reports from local organizations, about 75 ICE agents were seen at various terminals and baggage claim areas at O’Hare. There have been no confirmed sightings of ICE agents at Midway International Airport.
The deployment comes during an ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which began on Feb. 14 and is set to surpass previous records for federal funding lapses. The shutdown has affected several key agencies under DHS, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Coast Guard, with over 300 TSA agents quitting since last month’s funding lapse.
Agents are reportedly present both to assist with immigration enforcement and to help manage crowds as TSA staff continue working without pay due to the funding freeze. Some travelers have questioned whether ICE involvement will improve airport conditions amid long security lines caused by high callout rates among TSA employees.
The impasse in Congress centers on disagreements over funding for ICE’s deportation operations. While Democrats seek legislation that would fund TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard but exclude money for ICE enforcement activities, Senate Republicans and the White House insist that any deal must include funds for all DHS components as well as provisions from the SAVE America Act—a bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification at polling places—which Democrats oppose.
Community groups such as Pilsen Unidos por Nuestro Orgullo (PUÑO) and Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) have issued guidance for travelers passing through airports where ICE is present. Recommendations include carrying physical copies of important documents, disabling phone biometrics before travel, printing boarding passes ahead of time, making a safety plan with trusted contacts or legal counsel information memorized, declining facial recognition scans if desired by U.S. citizens at security checkpoints, using encrypted messaging apps like Signal or WhatsApp when communicating sensitive information, recording interactions with immigration officials when possible, clearly stating one’s legal status if asked by authorities without volunteering additional information or signing documents without legal representation.
Know Your Rights trainings are available every Monday evening via Zoom through ICIRR registration channels; concerned individuals can also contact their elected representatives regarding future funding decisions related to immigration enforcement.
