ToplinePresident Donald Trump said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents deployed to airports amid the government shutdown shouldn’t wear masks, a departure from the controversial tactic the agency has used while conducting immigration raids. ICE agents look on as travelers stand in long lines at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on March 23, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)Getty ImagesKey FactsTrump said he supports ICE wearing masks for immigration enforcement operations, but said he “would greatly appreciate, however, NO MASKS,” he wrote on Truth Social.ICE agents were deployed to some airports Monday to help with crowd control at security as the partial government shutdown has caused long lines amid a shortage of Transportation and Security Administration workers who aren’t being paid.Border czar Tom Homan said the ICE operations at airports wouldn’t focus on immigration enforcement, telling CNN on Sunday ICE is already involved in some law enforcement activity at airports, such as smuggling investigations. He said he wasn’t sure if ICE would be helping with “specialized” TSA duties, such as X-ray screening, though he left open the possibility, telling the network discussions with TSA about “where [ICE] can fit in” were ongoing. Some major airports have seen as many as 40% of TSA workers call in sick, ABC News reported Wednesday, after funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed in mid-February, leaving TSA workers unpaid. Agents were photographed at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Monday without masks and wearing gear that identified them as ICE.What To Watch ForIt’s unclear when the partial shutdown could end. Trump issued a new ultimatum for fully reopening the government on Sunday. He said he wouldn’t support a deal unless it includes the controversial new voter ID law, the SAVE America Act. The House and Senate are scheduled to begin a recess Friday and won’t return to Washington until April 13. Key BackgroundICE agents were deployed to 13 airports Monday to assist TSA at security checkpoints, according to CNN, including Chicago-O’Hare, Cleveland Hopkins, Houston, LaGuardia, Philadelphia and Southwest Florida. Lawmakers have been unable to agree on a new budget for DHS as Democrats have said they won’t fund the agency without immigration reforms, including prohibiting agents conducting public operations from wearing masks. Democrats demanded the reforms after two Americans were shot and killed by immigration agents in Minnesota earlier this year, leading the Trump administration to roll back some of its aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. ICE and border patrol are also part of DHS, but continue to be paid as part of a massive immigration funding package Congress approved last year.