Potential ICE presence at Columbus airport unclear
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Columbus airport officials don't know and a federal official won't say whether ICE agents will be sent to bolster local TSA checkpoints.
Why it matters: The last time Columbus felt a major ICE presence, in December, there were hundreds of arrests.
Catch up quick: TSA officers have been working without pay for weeks during a partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
- In response to long lines across the country, President Trump announced over the weekend that he would send ICE agents to airports.
Zoom out: CNN reported Monday that 13 airports would be getting ICE reinforcements.
- That includes Cleveland, which saw agents arrive that morning.
What they're saying: In an emailed statement to Axios Columbus, DHS spokesperson Lauren Bis declined to comment on ICE presence "for operational security reasons," but said Trump is "using every tool available" to reduce lines.
The other side: Because of ICE and TSA's federal mandate, airport officials "don't have insight into their processes and procedures," John Glenn Columbus International Airport spokesperson Breann Almos tells Axios.
- The city of Columbus has received no communication from ICE regarding airport activity, a spokesperson for Mayor Andrew Ginther tells Axios.
Between the lines: Almos says Columbus TSA workers "are continuing to show up to work," and pointed to donation boxes around the airport for passengers who want to show their appreciation.
- Donations are capped at $20 for "ethics compliance."
⏱️ What we're watching: Flyers should keep an eye on the airport's estimated wait times tool.