March 28, 2026 – Maryland Aviation Administration Statement on ICE Personnel Deployment to Support TSA Security Screenings

Earlier this afternoon, the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) was informed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was deploying additional personnel from the Department of Homeland Security, to include Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) personnel, to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, starting this afternoon.

MAA was advised by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that ICE personnel will be working to assist TSA security checkpoints at BWI Marshall, similar to their roles during recent deployments at airports across the country.

Primary aviation security functions, including passenger and baggage screening responsibilities, will remain with trained, skilled TSA personnel. The ICE personnel will provide operational support for TSA to speed up the clearance process for passengers.

MAA has been informed by TSA that ICE’s primary focus is security operations, not immigration enforcement, during their deployment to BWI Marshall Airport.

“We thank our passengers for their patience as we work with stakeholders to support safe, efficient travel,” said Shannetta Griffin, Executive Director/CEO of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. “We’re grateful to our TSA agents, BWI personnel, concessions employees, and other workers who are keeping BWI operational during this challenging time.”

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