Transportation Security Administration agents are expected to begin receiving paychecks on Monday after President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to issue immediate payments, even as Congress has yet to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
The agents have worked without pay since February 14 due to the partial government shutdown, prompting many to call off work and leading to long security lines at airports across the country. While pay is set to resume, questions remain about when workers will be made whole for the more than 40 days of missed wages.
The promise of incoming paychecks did little to ease weekend backups. Some airports urged travelers to arrive hours early, and lines remained longer than usual in places such as Baltimore. LaGuardia Airport in New York posted warnings that TSA lines could be significantly longer than normal, with conditions subject to rapid change.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents continued assisting with screening operations over the weekend, and it is unclear when they will depart. Border Czar Tom Homan has said they will stay as long as needed, with no firm deadline.
The TSA has lost hundreds of agents during the shutdown, including about 500 who resigned permanently. Experts say it could take between two days and two weeks for staffing levels to stabilize because new hires require extensive training. Homeland Security Chief Tom Homan noted that ICE support will remain until the agency returns to a “100% posture.”
Financial strain on TSA workers led to a surge in sick-outs, with some unable to afford gasoline for their commutes. Union Representative Johnny Jones cautioned that payroll backlogs mean many employees may still see portions of their pay missing in the immediate future.
Travelers reported widely varying experiences. At Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, one passenger cleared security in just over 60 seconds, while major hubs elsewhere saw lines stretching for hours.
The executive order marks the start of relief for thousands of TSA officers, but full recovery of airport operations is expected to take time.