ICE Is Keeping Things Cool At Airports

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been deployed to the busiest airports to support TSA agents who haven't been paid in over a month. This special assignment is under the watchful eye of immigration enforcement ombudsman Tom Homan:

During a time of congressional chicanery defunding Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies not fully funded like ICE, this deployment makes sense. They're helping secure access points, patrol perimeters and even offer travelers much-needed morale boosters like bottled water and holding places in line while some go to the bathroom.

Tactically, they also dramatically increase ability to arrest law breakers and quickly stop active threats, terrorist and otherwise.

For deportation hawks, this deployment amplifies rumors the administration is reducing immigration enforcement operations during midterm season to maintain control of the US House and Senate. DHS officer-involved shooting deaths of two Minneapolis anti-ICE protesters is also cited as a suspected reason.

As a security person with varied experiences, I have mixed feelings about TSA. Much of their tactics have been questioned as unconstitutional (enhanced screening without explanation readily comes to mind) and too invasive. I winced when a female friend said her genitalia were groped by a TSA agent during physical screening. While concerns are duly noted, the concept of federal transportation security is one I support. Leaving this vital task up to lowest bidder firms who fund Republicans calling for TSA's abolition is dangerous. High turnover and low pay aren't conditions for keeping the traveling public safe. Nor are politicians playing games with Transportation Security Administration pay checks.

I favor keeping TSA as a government agency with a career path, union membership and benefits. Barring that, my next suggestion is reinstituting the hybrid model seen soon after September 11th, 2001, where federal supervisors managed civilian screeners.

Lastly is broadening contracts of select private security firms already offering TSA certified staff.

At any rate, ICE is keeping things cool at airports. During a partial government shutdown, with a war going on, that's not such a bad thing.

Nadra Enzi aka Cap Black addresses 'anti safety' theory and policies through advocacy and consulting.