Lines of people stretched out the door of the world’s busiest airport Monday afternoon, as they wait to go through security.
Federal agents, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to assist TSA with the long lines.
Several agents wearing vests with police/ICE labels could be seen in security areas Monday.
Channel 2’s Candace McCowan reported that at least one person who said they spent nine hours in line starting Sunday evening.
The latest on the partial shutdown and how long the lines are stretching, on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4:00 p.m.
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ICE agents are there to assist with crowd control in front of security checkpoints, according to an email sent to TSA staff.
People are being told to arrive early and expect waits of four hours or longer to make their way to the gates.
The Department of Homeland Security announced Sunday that it would send federal agents to the airports seeing the worst lines with the ongoing partial government shut down.
TSA workers haven’t seen a paycheck in three weeks now as the partial government shutdown continues. And the Atlanta airport says around 30 to 40% of agents have called out in the past few days.
ABC News reports that federal immigration officers will be at the following airports. The list is subject to change, according to ABC News source.
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Chicago-O’Hare International Airport
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Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
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Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport
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Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport
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John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York)
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LaGuardia Airport (New York)
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Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
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Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
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Newark Liberty International Airport
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Philadelphia International Airport
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Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
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Pittsburgh International Airport
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Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers, Florida)
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