NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) — Newark Liberty International Airport is dealing with several issues on Monday — including an air traffic control tower that had to be temporarily evacuated due to the smell of smoke and long lines at TSA.
The evacuation led to a ground stop and flights were forced to hold for about an hour, but then air traffic controllers were seen moving back to the tower by 8:30 a.m.
An FAA spokesperson confirmed there was no fire and the controllers evacuated the tower due to a burning smell from an elevator.
Anthony Johnson reports from Newark Liberty International Airport.
It all added to the problems with long lines at TSA checkpoints at the airport as workers continue to not be paid and call out from work.
On Monday, ICE agents were deployed to Newark — as well as JFK and LaGuardia airports — and several other airports across the country.
An official estimated about 65 ICE agents were deployed across all the terminals at Newark.
President Donald Trump says they are being sent in to assist the understaffed TSA.
They are mainly monitoring the terminal entrances and exits and freeing up TSA agents to focus on screening.
“Every time Donald Trump gets involved, he creates chaos for the American people,” New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said in a statement. “This latest proposal is no different. Trump’s ICE has a track record of making communities less safe, and sending untrained ICE agents to staff our airports is not an acceptable solution. Instead, it’s time for Donald Trump and Washington Republicans to do their jobs and fund TSA.”
Nearby LaGuardia Airport remains closed after a plane collided with a truck on a runway.
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