Trump threatens to send ICE to airports during shutdown, claiming it will boost security and arrest undocumented immigrants, mainly from Somalia.

President Donald Trump threatened on March 21, 2026, to deploy ICE agents to U.S. airports if a federal funding bill is not passed, claiming they would enhance security and immediately arrest undocumented immigrants, particularly those from Somalia. The announcement, made via Truth Social, came amid a 36-day partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security and leading to TSA staffing shortages. Trump blamed Democratic lawmakers for the impasse, though no official plans or implementation details have been confirmed. The proposal has raised concerns about the roles of federal agencies and civil liberties, with no evidence supporting his claims about security failures or specific threats from Somali immigrants.