Trump Admin Shutters DHS Watchdog Amid Rampant and Growing Detainee Abuse The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has officially closed its Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO), a watchdog agency tasked with monitoring immigrant detention conditions, even as reports of severe abuse, excessive force, and deadly neglect by immigration enforcement personnel have surged under the Trump administration. The closure, confirmed through an internal email cited by HuffPost’s Dave Jamieson, marks the dismantling of an agency established by Congress in 2020 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. OIDO’s shutdown comes amid a backdrop of escalating detainee deaths, systemic mistreatment, and legal challenges over the administration’s attempts to erode its authority. OIDO, which operated independently from both U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, was designed to investigate allegations of abuse, inspect detention facilities, and report systemic issues to DHS leaders and Congress. Its closure was attributed to a lack of federal funding in the Homeland Security appropriations package, which also ended a 76-day government shutdown. However, critics argue the decision reflects a deliberate effort to weaken oversight mechanisms that have long been a target of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The agency’s shutdown has been met with legal resistance, as advocates and lawmakers contend that OIDO, created by Congress, cannot be abolished without congressional approval. The administration has framed the closure as necessary to streamline immigration enforcement, but critics argue it undermines accountability for the widespread abuses documented in detention facilities.#ice #dhs #customs_border_protection #trump_admin #oido
Senate Unanimously Advances DHS Funding Deal Without ICE and CBP Amid Shutdown The Senate moved forward with a bipartisan agreement to reopen most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after 42 days of government shutdown, but the deal excluded funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and parts of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The agreement, passed in the early hours of Friday, marks a critical step toward resolving the funding crisis but leaves key immigration enforcement agencies without financial support. The decision came amid ongoing tensions between Democrats and Republicans over immigration policy and the broader implications of the shutdown. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and his Democratic allies praised the deal, calling it a victory for their priorities. Schumer argued that the agreement aligns with their demands to withhold funding for ICE and CBP, which he and his caucus have consistently opposed. “This is exactly what we wanted,” Schumer stated, emphasizing that his party had maintained its stance throughout the negotiations. However, the deal lacks the sweeping reforms Democrats had sought, such as requiring judicial warrants for agent actions or mandating the unmasking of individuals during investigations. Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., criticized the agreement as a missed opportunity to secure meaningful policy changes. Thune argued that Democrats had repeatedly rejected proposals to fund immigration enforcement while simultaneously demanding reforms. “We’ve been trying for weeks to fund the whole thing,” Thune said, noting that the deal “has zero reforms” and that Democrats had failed to compromise on policy issues.#dhs #senate #john_thune #transportation_security_administration #chuck_schumer
TSA disruptions: Why some airports have long security lines and others don't Airport security lines are stretching for hours at some major hubs, while travelers at others are breezing through in minutes. The uneven experience reflects how the partial government shutdown is affecting airports and TSA workers differently, as staffing levels, passenger volume, and airport operations drive wide variations in wait times. TSA officers have been working without pay since February 14, and according to the Department of Homeland Security, nearly 500 have quit since the funding lapse began. More than 11% of scheduled TSA officers—over 3,120 people—called out of work Wednesday, according to DHS. Before the shutdown, the national call-out rate hovered around 4%. Which airports have the highest call-out rates? At some of the nation’s busiest airports, including George Bush Intercontinental in Houston and Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, call-out rates have been much higher, around 40% this week. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Baltimore/Washington International Airport, and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport have also seen call-out rates well above the national average, topping 30% recently. Each of those airports has experienced significant security delays at times in the past week. Acting DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement that the partial shutdown has forced thousands of TSA workers to call out from work because they can’t afford basic expenses like gas and child care. Some officers are even sleeping at airports or in their cars because they can’t afford the commute to and from work, according to the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal labor union.#dhs #tsa #american_federation_of_government_employees #george_bush_intercontinental #hartsfield_jackson_atlanta
Trump Orders DHS to Pay TSA Agents Amid Funding Deadlock President Donald Trump announced Thursday he will sign an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents, aiming to resolve a government funding impasse that has left thousands of workers unpaid and caused severe delays at airports. The move comes as Congress remains deadlocked over a budget deal to fund DHS, which has led to a partial government shutdown since February 14. Over 46,000 TSA employees are at risk of missing their second paycheck this weekend, with many having worked without pay for over a month. The order, which Trump described as a response to “Democrat Chaos” at airports, instructs Secretary Markwayne Mullin to prioritize TSA compensation. However, legal experts question the president’s authority to unilaterally fund the agency. Max Stier, CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, noted that Trump’s decision to act without congressional approval raises questions about the legality of the move. “This has been a problem for over a month now,” Stier said, adding that the president’s past actions have often pushed legal boundaries. The funding impasse has left TSA struggling to manage security operations, with long lines at major airports and staff shortages. Over 500 TSA officers have resigned during the shutdown, and thousands more have called out, exacerbating delays. Meanwhile, other DHS divisions, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), continue to receive payments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a law signed by Trump in July 2025. However, these funds are earmarked for specific purposes, and redirecting them without congressional approval is legally questionable.#trump #dhs #tsa #john_fetterman #markwayne_mullin
Trump praises ICE airport work amid DHS funding lapse President Trump on Wednesday praised U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers for their work at airports this week as lengthy security wait times stack up amid the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding lapse. “I am so proud of our ICE Patriots! They were unfairly maligned by the Lunatic Democrats for years, and now, at the Airports, in addition to what they are supposed to be doing, they are helping people with bags, even picking up and cleaning areas,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “They are so proud to be there! The fact is, they shouldn’t have to do this, but they are rehabbing a fake image given to them by Radical Left Democrat politicians.” ICE officers began assisting Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffers who are working without pay due to the partial government shutdown affecting DHS. Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill told the House Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday that ICE officers are helping with “queue management,” exit lane staffing, and giving passengers instructions on how to load up bins, among other tasks. “It takes a while to really get folks embedded into our operations and it’s gone extremely well, and our feedback from the passengers and our field leadership has been very positive,” she said in response to questioning from Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.). The DHS shutdown, which began on Feb. 14, stemmed from Democrats demanding reforms to immigration enforcement procedures after federal officers fatally shot U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis earlier this year. Those incidents sparked protests against the presence of ICE and Border Patrol personnel in cities around the country.#trump #ice #dhs #ha_nguyen_mcneil #tssa
Philadelphia airport travelers adjust to checkpoint closures amid TSA staffing shortages Travelers arriving at Philadelphia International Airport on Wednesday faced closed security checkpoints as the ongoing federal government shutdown strained TSA staffing levels. While the closures disrupted normal operations, security lines remained shorter than at many other airports nationwide. Passengers reported arriving early to avoid delays, though wait times were generally manageable. One traveler noted, “I’ve been following it for a couple days. I saw they were closing a few more terminals last night, so we got here early.” Despite having TSA PreCheck, some opted to avoid potential delays. Airport officials had already closed Terminal C’s checkpoint the previous week, and additional closures occurred on Wednesday morning at Terminals F and A-West. Only three checkpoints remained operational: Terminals D/E, A-East, and B. Lines fluctuated throughout the day as passengers adapted to the changes. For some, the experience in Philadelphia was less stressful than at other airports. Laurie Segreto of Sarasota, Florida, remarked, “It’s not as bad as what I’ve seen on the news in other airports.” Passengers connecting through Philadelphia from Chicago described the crowds as significantly smaller than those at O’Hare Airport. “58,000 more people than this,” said Brittiney Cousin of Chicago. Elijah Watkins, also from Chicago, added, “The line was ridiculous. The line was way out—people were coming in every second on the second.” TSA officials attributed the checkpoint closures to rising employee callouts during the shutdown. To support federal workers still on duty, American Airlines staff provided free lunches to TSA employees on Wednesday. TSA employee Jeff Craig expressed gratitude, stating, “It means everything.#dhs #tsa #philadelphia #philadelphia_international_airport #american_airlines
Trump border patrol chief Greg Bovino to retire Greg Bovino, the former leader of U.S. Border Patrol under President Donald Trump, has announced his retirement, set to take effect at the end of March. Bovino, who became a prominent figure in Trump’s immigration enforcement strategy, revealed his decision to Breitbart News, though he has not yet completed the formal paperwork required for his exit. His departure marks the end of a nearly three-decade career in immigration enforcement. Bovino oversaw operations in major Democratic-led cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis, where federal agents faced intense scrutiny after shooting and killing two U.S. citizens during confrontations. His role in Minnesota came under particular pressure following the January 2021 fatalities of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, which sparked bipartisan condemnation and widespread protests. The Trump administration swiftly removed Bovino from his position as commander-at-large in Minnesota after the incidents, replacing him with Tom Homan. Bovino’s tenure was also marked by controversy. In January 2021, he faced criticism for using offensive language toward Jewish officials during a call. According to CBS, he made disparaging remarks after being informed that Minnesota prosecutor Daniel Rosen, an Orthodox Jew, could not attend a meeting due to observing the Sabbath. The incident added to the scrutiny surrounding his leadership. Bovino’s career with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began in 1996, when he joined the agency as a border patrol agent. He was stationed primarily near the California-Mexico border before being appointed to lead Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota under the Trump administration.#trump #minnesota #dhs #greg_bovino #us_border_patrol
US Global Entry Program to Resume Amid DHS Shutdown The Trump administration announced on March 11, 2026, that the Global Entry program would be reinstated, restoring a fast-track system for international travelers that had been suspended during a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. The decision came as the funding dispute over the agency entered its fourth week, with officials stating the move aimed to reduce disruptions caused by the ongoing government standoff. A DHS spokesperson confirmed the reactivation of Global Entry, set for March 11 at 5:00 AM ET, emphasizing efforts to address the challenges faced by travelers. The program, which allows preapproved citizens and lawful permanent residents to bypass standard passport-control lines using automated kiosks, had been halted on February 22 after the department’s funding lapsed on February 14. At the time, lawmakers failed to agree on a spending bill, leading to the shutdown. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had previously directed personnel to prioritize security operations at airports and ports of entry, shifting resources away from the Global Entry program. This decision was quickly reversed for the TSA PreCheck program, but Global Entry remained suspended. The suspension drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers and industry groups, who argued it compromised both security and efficiency. The funding lapse stemmed from a broader political dispute over immigration enforcement. Democrats in Congress sought to impose new restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including requiring judicial warrants for certain home arrests, mandating visible identification for agents, and limiting the use of face coverings during operations.#dhs #global_entry_program #kristi_noem #us_travel_association #tsa_precheck_program
Some advocate for TSA airport security privatization amid shutdown At least one expert suggests the government shutdown may persist for an extended period, creating challenges for TSA agents and travelers as peak spring break travel approaches. Despite smooth operations at Ronald Reagan National Airport, long security lines have emerged at other airports, such as Houston’s Hobby Airport and Armstrong International in New Orleans. These lines, which stretch into baggage claim areas and parking garages, highlight potential disruptions as the shutdown continues. The funding lapse for Homeland Security has forced essential TSA employees to work without receiving their first full paychecks of the year. This situation could lead to agent resignations, increasing tensions at crowded airports. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have blocked DHS funding to address concerns about ICE and Border Patrol, proposing to separate funding for TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and cybersecurity. Republicans accuse Democrats of creating a political crisis, while Democrats argue they have been in constant communication with the White House. A TSA union representative emphasized that the issue is not partisan and warned that prolonged shutdowns could worsen delays. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) operates under a federal program allowing private contractors to manage security screenings while TSA retains oversight. Unlike most airports, which rely on federal TSA officers, SFO’s contractors receive pay from federal contracts, ensuring continuity during shutdowns. SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel noted that payments continue uninterrupted, allowing the airport to maintain operations even during extended shutdowns. This model helped SFO manage screening during last year’s 43-day shutdown.#dhs #tsa #senate_democrats #american_federation_of_government_employees #sheldon_jacobson
Airports face prolonged security delays as TSA staffing shortages persist amid ongoing Homeland Security shutdown Passengers at major U.S. airports endured hours-long waits at security checkpoints on Sunday as the partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security continued to disrupt operations. Lines at TSA checkpoints stretched for over three hours at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport, prompting the facility to advise travelers to arrive four to five hours before their flights. Similar delays were reported at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, where passengers were urged to arrive three hours early to avoid lengthy waits. At Hobby Airport, security lines extended beyond the terminal, winding through a parking garage and circling around seven times before reaching the terminal entrance, according to a witness. The airport’s social media post acknowledged the impact of the federal shutdown, stating that TSA workers were experiencing staffing shortages, leading to longer-than-usual lines. Airport staff were deployed to manage the crowds, with the facility emphasizing ongoing coordination with federal partners to address the issue. The delays followed a pattern of operational strain across multiple airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Charlotte Douglas International, and George Bush Intercontinental in Houston. TSA workers, who received only partial paychecks on February 28, are now facing their first full missed paycheck on March 14, exacerbating staffing challenges.#tsa #homeland_security #houston_william_p_hobby_airport #louis_armstrong_new_orleans_international_airport #dhs
