The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) called on March 22 for the immediate payment of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers, citing ongoing long security delays at U.S. airports. The statement was released jointly with the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, Association of Professional Flight Attendants, and International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 135.
The unions say that the Department of Homeland Security has discretionary funds available to pay TSA officers during a partial government shutdown but has chosen instead to continue paying Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection agents, and active duty members of the U.S. Coast Guard. According to their statement, “Instead of paying TSOs, they have chosen to create havoc in our airports.”
Union leaders argue that replacing trained TSA officers with ICE agents is not a viable solution due to differences in training and mission focus. They said that TSA officers complete a six-month program specifically designed for screening passengers and identifying threats unique to airports—skills they claim ICE agents do not possess or cannot quickly acquire.
They also raised concerns about introducing ICE into airport security roles, stating it could lead to conflicting objectives: “the introduction of ICE agents into airports creates contradictory missions, as attempts to question passengers about immigration status may distract them from ensuring airport security.” The unions warned that this approach could further disrupt operations rather than improve safety.
Highlighting heightened risks due to current international tensions, the unions concluded by calling for immediate action: “There’s one solution that immediately solves the problem at our airports. Pay the people who are already trained to protect us from terror attacks today, especially as the war with Iran increases the desire to strike against Americans.” They ended their statement with a direct appeal: “Pay TSA Workers now.”
