Travelers weighed in on President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to airports across the country on Monday as the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) workforce struggles to continue operations amid a government shutdown that’s nearing the 40-day mark.

Some travelers blasted the idea, fearing that the training received by ICE agents wouldn’t translate to airport security.

“I think it’s ludicrous,” one observer told Fox News Digital. “First of all, they’re not trained for screening. Secondly, the last thing we need in airports is armed people.”

Others believe the solution is better than nothing.

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President Donald Trump announced plans to have ICE at airports in an attempt to cut down on ongoing travel chaos caused by the DHS shutdown. (Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)

“I’m a traveler — anything that helps people get through the airports and have a good experience and keeps us safe is great,” a second person said.

Like the rest of the agencies that operate under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), funding for TSA ran dry on Feb. 14 over Democrat-led demands to reform ICE — the agency at the heart of Trump’s immigration crackdown.

In the wake of two deadly encounters with protesters, Democrats have conditioned their support for DHS funding on a slew of procedural guardrails. Those include a ban on masks for ICE agents, stiffer warrant requirements for apprehending suspects in public and a ban on roaming patrols, among other reforms.

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ICE agents arrive at JFK Airport in New York City, N.Y., March 23, 2026. The agents are being brought in to assist TSA agents amid staffing shortages due to the government shutdown. (David Dee Delgado for Fox News Digital)

Republicans have rebuffed the demands, arguing they would handcuff President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement goals. Republicans need at least seven Democrats to reach the 60-vote threshold to break a filibuster in the Senate, where they hold just 53 seats.

As the standoff reaches the 40-day mark, TSA agents have struggled to continue working while covering costs. According to DHS, more than 366 TSA officials have left the force.

“Transportation Security Officers and other Transportation Security Administration roles critical to national safety at our nation’s airports are going without pay for the third time in nearly six months,” DHS said in a statement.

“Because of this DHS shutdown, Americans are facing hours-long waits at airports across the country. Democrats must reopen DHS now.”

TSA agents missed their first full paychecks on March 13.

Some travelers warned that the public might not receive ICE well in airports due to their role in Trump’s immigration crackdown.

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ICE agents arrive at JFK Airport in New York City, N.Y., Monday, March 23, 2026. The agents are being brought in to assist TSA agents amid staffing shortages due to the government shutdown. (David Dee Delgado for Fox News)

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“I don’t think it’s a good idea just because of the optics,” another traveler said.

“I think that ICE agents — what’s happened has kind of wrecked their reputation in communities all over the United States, and so I don’t think it is a good idea. I think it will make people nervous. They could be coming here to do really good things, but they’ve already set that reputation, and I think that’s going to stick with them and people aren’t going to trust them.”

The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) called on the league to make a change to its 65-game eligibility rule for players to be considered for awards.

NBA players who fail to play 65 games are not considered for the league’s top honors, like NBA MVP. The union pointed to Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham, who emerged as an MVP candidate this season but may not be considered for the award if he misses more time. He’s currently sidelined with a collapsed lung.

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Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) drives against Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 13, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

“Cade Cunningham’s potential ineligibility for postseason awards after a career-defining season is a clear indictment of the 65-game rule and yet another example of why it must be abolished or reformed to create an exception for significant injuries,” the union said. “Since its implementation, far too many deserving players have been unfairly disqualified from end-of-season honors by this arbitrary and overly rigid quota.”

Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry have missed too much time to be considered for the All-NBA teams.

Injuries have also plagued San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama and Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic this season. Each player is in line for the MVP but are nearing ineligibility.

Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell said he understood the rule but there were too many other factors at play.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, left, greets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic after an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

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“It’s for the right reasons, but it’s tough,” Mitchell said over the weekend. “We get paid money to be out there, but there’s certain things you can’t control. It’s not like guys are resting and missing these games. These are legitimate injuries, so it’s something to look at for sure because there’s no way certain guys should be in this scenario.”

Kevin Durant suggested in 2024 he was indifferent about the rule.

“I just want guys healthy and on the court too. I guess that’s what the solution is try to get guys to stay on the court,” he said at the time. “It’s just something we’ve got to deal with. I won’t say I love it, or I hate it either, but it’s just something we’ve got to deal with.”

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) walks on the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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The rule was put in place in October in hopes of curbing load management and put an emphasis on the regular season. The rule may also impact whether players would receive a supermax contract in the future.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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