About 75 ICE agents covering multiple shifts have been deployed to the nation's busiest airport. President Donald Trump says he sent them to help TSA officers during the partial government shutdown as Democrats have continued to block Department of Homeland Security funding.
Loading up in a government van following a shift at O'Hare, ICE agents dressed in bulletproof tactical vests were sent to ease the pain of long lines. Yet, none were visible anywhere near the big security checkpoints on Monday.
ICE officers spotted at O'Hare airport; Homan says agents will assist with security
In a statement, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said, in part, "I have concerns about the deployment of federal agents at airports across the United States."
"I've spoken with our commissioner of aviation. The lines as well as the services are moving with productivity. We find it unnecessary," Johnson told ABC7.
Johnson says the presence of ICE agents sends the wrong message to travelers.
"We will closely monitor the deployment and use every tool we have to ensure that people, no matter their immigration status, can travel to and from Chicago safely and without harassment from the federal government," Johnson said.
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Some disagree with the mayor.
"They got to do what they got to do," said traveler Yolanda Pemberton. "I'm pro-ICE."
"To keep the crowds down, it sounds like a good idea," said traveler Elaine Dishaw.
Other travelers at O'Hare were not happy with ICE's presence on Monday.
"I'm not sure what they're here for. They're here for security. They're not trained to do the job. So, what exactly are they going to do here in O'Hare? They're intimidating people," said traveler Paul Castellvi.
And one couple told ABC7 that upon returning from their regular trip to visit family in Vancouver, they had to present their passports after touching down in Chicago, even though they had pre-cleared U.S. customs in Vancouver.
"To me, that was the hardest thing. I go, 'Oh, ICE is here,'" said Jack Mortell.
When asked if he thought the passport request had anything to do with ICE, Mortell said, "Sure it did. We had already cleared customs. It frosted me. We had already put our passports away."
And when asked if anyone objected to the request to show passports, he said, "Do you dare? You see them beating people. I wouldn't dare say a word to those people. There's a risk of getting beaten. I have seen it happen in Evanston."
Trump ordered the agents into U.S. airports while TSA officers continue to work without pay during a now five-week long partial government shutdown.
Hundreds of TSA employees have quit or have called in sick, resulting in long security lines. TSA and ICE fall under DHS.
Travel chaos continues nationwide with ICE agents deployed to at least 14 airports
According to TSA data obtained by ABC News, TSA saw the highest call out rate of TSA officers at airports on Saturday, about 11.5% of the schedule workforce. At Chicago Midway International Airport, nearly 30% of officers called out sick.
"They're part of the same agency. So, why we're not just funneling more money to TSA agents to just be doing the jobs that they should be paid to be doing, is bonkers to me," one traveler said.
Sources told ABC News that Senate negotiators reached a deal on Sunday to fund all of DHS except for ICE, but that was shot down by the White House. The president is encouraging Republicans to negotiate through Easter.
Because ICE agents are not trained as TSA workers, DHS says they will perform non-screening functions, such as helping to manage long lines or reminding people to remove liquids from their carry-ons.
RELATED | Record number of TSA officers called out Saturday as DHS shutdown continues
"ICE agents aren't going to help with TSA," traveler Katelyn Bond said. "Like, let's be honest, TSA agents are there to be TSA agents, and ICE agents are ICE agents. They're two totally different things. And it's not something that helps take off the load of work that TSA agents have been dealing with."
Border Czar Tom Homan says agents will assist with security at entrances and exits as the plan continues to be developed.
"This is about helping the men and women of TSA," Homan said. "They've lost several hundred employees line are really slow because of the shut down. This is about going to help TSA do their mission and get the American public through the airports as they quick as they can."
Unlike immigration enforcement on the street, Trump has requested that ICE agents take off their masks in airports.
"If it really mattered that much for safety, but suddenly, it doesn't in the airports, then, it really was never about safety after all then, was it?" said one traveler named Brandon.
AFGE Local 777, which represents TSA agents, said in a statement, "From a union and TSA officers standpoint, just pay TSA. Stop playing games with our workforce and the safety of the traveling public. Respect the officers who show up every day and keep this system running."
Union representatives are warning that bringing in untrained personnel to do TSA's work could create even more challenges.
Meanwhile, Midway is not expected to have agents present.
Other airports where ICE will be deployed, according to ABC News, include:
-Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
-Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
-Houston's William P. Hobby Airport
-Houston's Bush Intercontential
-John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York)
-LaGuardia Airport (New York)
-Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
-Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
-Newark Liberty International Airport
-Philadelphia International Airport
-Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
-Pittsburgh International Airport
-Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers, Florida)