WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump said Saturday he will order federal immigration officers to take a role in airport security starting Monday unless Democrats agree on a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before departing on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
In a series of social media posts, Trump said he was making plans to put officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in airports if the congressional standoff continues. After the Senate failed to find a resolution at a rare weekend session, he appeared resolute in his plan: “ICE is ready to go on Monday,” he said.
The Republican president suggested ICE agents would bring the administration's immigration crackdown into the nation's airports, promising to arrest "all Illegal Immigrants."
"I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, "GET READY." NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!" Trump wrote while spending the weekend in Florida.
People are also reading…
Passengers wait outside a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Saturday, March, 21, 2026, (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)
The move appears to be an effort to expand the type of immigration enforcement that became a sticking point in Congress. Democrats pledged to oppose funding for DHS unless changes were made in the wake of a crackdown in Minnesota that led to the killings of two protesters, U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good, this year in Minneapolis.
Democrats demand better identification for federal law enforcement officers, a new code of conduct for those agencies and more use of judicial warrants, among other measures.
The Minnesota operation was tied in part to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents. On Saturday, Trump said ICE officers sent to airports would focus on arresting immigrants from Somalia who are in the United States illegally. Repeating his criticism on Somalis, he said they "totally destroyed" Minnesota.
"If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before," Trump said.
Trump's posts did not offer additional detail on how ICE would take a role in airport security and what it meant for the Transportation Security Administration, which screens passengers and luggage for hazardous items.
The vast majority of TSA employees are considered essential and continue to work during the funding lapse, but they are doing so without pay. Call-out rates started to increase at some airports, and DHS said at least 376 TSA workers quit since the partial shutdown began Feb. 14.
On Saturday, in a rare weekend session, the Senate rejected a motion by Democrats to take up legislation to reopen TSA and pay workers who are now going without paychecks. Republicans argue that they need to fund all parts of the DHS, not just certain ones. A bill to fund the Cabinet department failed to advance in the Senate on Friday.
There were signs of progress, though, with the restarting in recent days of stalled talks between Democrats and the White House. On Saturday, Republican and Democratic senators were set to meet for a third consecutive day with White House officials behind closed doors as Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York spoke of "productive conversations."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., urged the bipartisan group to act quickly. He has said repeatedly that Democrats and the White House need to find compromise as lines at airports have grown.
"If that group that's meeting can't come up with a solution really quickly, things are going to get worse and worse," Thune said Saturday.
___
Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington contributed to this report.
9 things you shouldn’t pack in a checked bag for a flight
Lithium batteries
Lithium batteries are allowed only in carry-on baggage.
Lithium-metal (non-rechargeable) batteries are limited to two grams of lithium per battery, while lithium-ion (rechargeable) batteries are limited to 100-watt hours per battery (the average traveler easily meets these requirements).
Some smart carry-on suitcases, from brands such as Away and G-RO, have removable chargers, so if you end up needing to check your bag, don’t forget to take out the charger and carry it onto the plane.
Electronics
Large electronics with lithium batteries should be kept out of checked luggage in accordance with lithium battery restrictions.
But even electronics without lithium batteries should be carried on, too, as they’re far more likely to be damaged or potentially stolen in cargo.
Medication
Although you’ll have to put any medication over the 3.4-ounce liquid limit into checked luggage, you’ll want to keep medications on hand, because luggage does get lost or delayed.
No one wants to start their vacation with an emergency call to their doctor.
Matches and some lighters
One book of safety matches is allowed in carry-ons, while strike-anywhere matches are strictly prohibited from all luggage.
Electronic lighters are also forbidden from airplanes, but disposable and Zippo lighters without fuel are allowed in checked bags.
Travelers that have lighters with fuel can check them if they’re in a DOT-approved case.
Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices
Ever-popular e-cigarettes and vapes are banned from checked bags. Keep them in your carry-on.
Jewelry
You’re free to put as much jewelry into your checked bag as you’d like, but we recommend keeping anything valuable in a carry-on, to avoid any chance of losing it, whether permanently or temporarily.
Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof
Wine and some alcohol can be packed into checked luggage, though you’ll want to safely keep wine bottles to prevent them from breaking.
But any alcohol over 140 proof is banned. This means Everclear (190 proof), Bacardi 151 (151 proof) and Hapsburg Gold Label Premium Reserve Absinthe (179 proof) should be kept at home.
Film
Film is allowed to be checked, but because X-rays from the security scanners can potentially damage it, it’s best to pack it in your carry-on.
When going through the TSA security checkpoint, ask for the film to be scanned by hand.
Flammables and some firearm-related objects
You’d expect weapons to be banned in carry-ons, but some aren’t allowed in checked baggage either.
Gun powder and flares are prohibited, as are flammable items like fireworks, flammable paints and hand grenades.
Firearms, rifles, starter pistols and pellet guns are all allowed to be checked, but check the TSA website for the specific way they must be packed.
