Travelers at Sacramento airport express concern over national ICE deployment at TSA security lines, even as officials confirm no such plans locally.<\/p>\n
SACRAMENTO, Calif. \u2014 Travelers at Sacramento International Airport<\/a> say they are increasingly uneasy following reports that immigration agents could be deployed at airport security lines across the country, even as local officials say there are no such plans in Sacramento.<\/p>\n Passengers moving through TSA checkpoints on Monday morning experienced relatively smooth lines, with airport officials saying staffing shortages have been minimal and wait times remain consistent with pre-shutdown levels.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m really grateful that the TSA workers, even though they\u2019re not getting paid, are still showing up to work,\u201d said Rachel Chun, who was headed to Tampa, Florida. \u201cI think they\u2019ve all had a really great attitude, and I\u2019ve made sure to thank them all for being there.\u201d<\/p>\n The concerns come after President Donald Trump said he would deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to several U.S. airports on Monday to assist TSA during the government shutdown.<\/p>\n While no ICE agents were seen at Sacramento International Airport, some travelers said social media posts about the possibility have raised concerns about flying through other airports.<\/p>\n Jaylen Aufforth, who flew into Sacramento from Houston, said he encountered long lines before his flight.<\/p>\n \u201cI got there at 11:00 p.m. the night before, and thankfully I did because I got to the front of the line, but at 2:30 when TSA opens up before then it was already the line was out the door, and it was all the way downstairs to the baggage claim like. It\u2019s bad,\u201d Aufforth said.<\/p>\n He said he does not support using ICE agents to fill in for TSA workers.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he should let TSA do their job, and he should pay them,\u201d Aufforth said. \u201cPersonally, I think ICE isn\u2019t qualified in what they do already, so to have them come manage the airport too is not a good idea in my books.\u201d<\/p>\n Airport officials<\/a> said in a statement<\/a> that while they are aware of reports about ICE assisting TSA at some locations, there are currently no plans to implement that at Sacramento International Airport.<\/p>\n Despite that assurance, some community members remain concerned. One protester spent several hours outside the airport on Monday, handing out \u201cKnow Your Rights\u201d materials and whistles to travelers.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it puts a fear like hey you this could be my last time I could see my family,\u201d Consuela said. \u201cOr this, I could be sent to one of these concentration camps or the detention centers and be there for however long.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Others said their priority is getting through security without delays.<\/p>\n \u201cIdeally, it\u2019s just one of those things where it\u2019s like, if I can get to my flight on time, I don\u2019t really have a problem with any of that stuff,\u201d said Prince Obere, who was headed to Dallas.<\/p>\n Airport officials said they will continue working with TSA and airline partners to maintain safety and efficiency, adding they remain committed to providing a welcoming experience for travelers.<\/p>\n