A partial government shutdown has left the Department of Homeland Security unfunded, causing major disruptions at U.S. airports as nearly 500 Transportation Security Administration officers quit and 50,000 have worked without pay since mid-February.

Security lines have grown hours long amid a spring break travel surge, and TSA warned it may have to close smaller airports if staffing shortages continue.

President Donald Trump deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to assist with limited duties like ID checks and crowd control, though they are not trained for full TSA responsibilities.

Funding discussions continue, with the White House considering emergency measures to pay TSA staff, while Democrats and Republicans remain divided over DHS funding and ICE reforms, the DW has reported.

Despite the shutdown, ICE and other DHS law enforcement continue to receive pay under previously allocated budgets supporting immigration and deportation operations.