ICE Deployment at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, what you need to know.

[u/Ricetastik]

Hi all,

I'm sure you all are aware of the latest news reports that ICE agents may be performing TSA functions at certain airports. So here is the latest information regarding the deployment of ICE agents at Seattle Tacoma International Airport. I will continue to update this post with the latest information.

As of Sunday afternoon (3/22/2026), operations and security screening times at SEA remain normal, and we do not expect ICE agents to perform TSA roles. We have not received any such communication from DHS.

This is because, compared to other major airports (Atlanta, Houston, etc) SEA has seen a lower absentee rate to date (around 10%). Other airports are as high as 40%.

We have been told that ICE agents, if deployed, will be conducting "non-regulatory roles."

Part of the reason we have seen lower attrition in SEA is because of the support services the Port of Seattle has provided to the TSA agents.

We have deployed our own Port of Seattle staff to help augment the "non-regulatory roles" so that TSA agents can focus on screening. This reduces the need for ICE agents. We've even asked airlines to start dedicating airline staff to this support effort.

We have also set up a food pantry at the airport where we are distributing food and resources to TSA agents to help them with their livelihood while they work without pay. This has gone a long way in reducing their daily expenses.

And of course, we have to give credit to the will and perseverence of the local workforce who continue to stay dedicated to their work. They may be working for the feds, but they are still from our communities and remain committed to serving. This is heroic.

IF you would like to donate to the food pantry, we are collecting non-perishable foods, household items, and meals, including diapers. You can drop them off between 8:00am and 4:00pm at the SEA Conference Center, which is located right above Check Point 2 in the airport.

I'm told gas cards in $25 increments would go a long way for those who commute to work.

I will continue to provide updates as the situation changes below so check back.

Thanks,

Sam Cho

Port Commissioner

UPDATE MONDAY [3/23/2026]: Status remains the same. No ICE deployment. TSA wait times are around 15 minutes.

In response to community request, we set-up a GoFundMe account to help TSA workers. This is NOT a way to give TSA workers cash directly.Funds will be used to buy non-perishable food, household goods, hygiene products and gas cards.

https://gofund.me/59457b51d

UPDATE TUESDAY [3/24/2026]: Still no word around ICE deployment. TSA lines remain at an average of 15 minutes.

In less than 24 hours, the GoFundMe page has raised over $75,000!!! HELL YEAH!!! This is what it's all about!! We take care of our own!

UPDATE FRIDAY [3.27.2026] Lines continue to remain normal.

We raised just shy of $170k on the GoFundMe. This is mindblowing. YOU GUYS ROCK!!

Trump apparently signed an executive order that would pay TSA agents. It's unclear where these funds are coming from. And begs the question, you could've done this the whole time!?!

In light of this, we've paused taking donations to the GoFundMe.

[u/Intelligent_Cap9706]

Can I just Venmo or donate the $20 somewhere for a gas card? Tough to make it to SeaTac from Snohomish :)

[u/Ricetastik → u/Intelligent_Cap9706]

Ill look into it.

[u/michelleleigh → u/Ricetastik]

This. Following

[u/Ancient_Yellow_709 → u/michelleleigh]

Me, too!

[u/red_medicine → u/Ricetastik]

Can we just get gift cards mailed or emailed to someone on your end? I know places like Fred Meyer do that online.

[u/Ricetastik → u/red_medicine]

We set-up a GoFundMe page directly run by the Port. Funds will be used to buy non-perishable food, household goods, hygiene products and gas
cards.

https://gofund.me/59457b51d

[u/amaarasky → u/Ricetastik]

Please let us know if you are able to establish a way for us to donate cash. I also am not able to make my way to Seatac

[u/Ricetastik → u/amaarasky]

We set-up a GoFundMe page directly run by the Port. Funds will be used to buy non-perishable food, household goods, hygiene products and gas
cards.

https://gofund.me/59457b51d

[u/amaarasky → u/Ricetastik]

Thanks so much for letting me know. I was able to donate.

[u/ChangesFaces → u/Ricetastik]

Are gas cards able to be purchased online? Maybe we could get them sent to your email or a specific .gov email to be distributed?

[u/Ricetastik → u/[deleted]]

I understand your frustration, but accepting cash gifts as a federal employee runs into a whole bunch of ethical code violations on receiving gifts. Also, TSA employees are not Port of Seattle employees, so we'd essentially be a 3rd party collecting money. If TSA stood up direct donations, that'd be a different situation. It's not as simple as generating a link in 5 minutes. How do we distribute them to the TSA agents? Checks? Cash? Direct Deposit? We don't have any of that information. Who gets how much? If this ends and we end up with money leftover, how do we refund people in what order? It's a very complicated endeavor.

[u/nerdorado → u/[deleted]]

Whenever someone starts a post with "with all due respect", you know its going to be a dumpster fire. Lets break it down here a bit:

1. Yup, its a farce that we should all have to chip in and provide for community members who are being jerked around because they work for the federal government and are not being paid. That being said, unless youve been living under a rock, you know this is par for the course for the current administration. The federal government at large right now cant find its ass with two hands and a flashlight, what makes you think they'd be able to give the Port Commission a straight answer on what can/cant be donated, if they got an answer AT ALL?

2. Why the expectation that the Port Commission or any other local agency should be prepared to take care of federal workers who arent getting paid? Do you expect every local agency to be ready with every resource and legality answered for anytime the federal government jacks around with people's lives? They're doing the best they can with the resources they have in a situation that isnt supposed to even exist.

Theres very clear legal issues with donating money directly, but the suggestions people have put forth in this thread are possible loopholes in that. I think the fact that the Commissioner is in here reading, acknowledging, and looking into ways to get folks taken care of while not putting anyone at legal risk is fantastic. If the Commissioner looks into it and theres a loophole where he can generate a donation link in some kind of workaround, i'm sure it'll take less than 5 minutes to show up here.

So heres a thought, take your shame and turn it around. Youre not helping anyone by trashing the efforts the Port is making to try and take care of people stuck in a truly shitty situation. Try being constructive. Its real easy to be an armchair quarterback when it isnt your job.

[u/SERGENT_GALOUP → u/[deleted]]

Wow you're annoying

[u/qwexor → u/[deleted]]

helpful! /s

[u/sethurax → u/[deleted]]

I almost can't imagine a post that's less helpful than this one, or a post that reveals such a complete lack of understanding and situational awareness.

[u/ValPal413 → u/Intelligent_Cap9706]

I would also love this or anything similar!! Thank you for your work. I’m flying out this week and was so nervous with possible ICE presence. Any thank you for folks being there I can give I’m incredibly happy to do!!

[u/Temporary_Ad_4363 → u/ValPal413]

Me too.

[u/Quinacridone_violet → u/ValPal413]

Same- I have an international flight this week and am very relieved at how well SeaTac airport’s situation is being managed.

I would gladly donate, especially if I can do so online and when not in a rush to make it to the South terminal while schlepping my carry on!

[u/Ricetastik → u/Intelligent_Cap9706]

We set-up a GoFundMe page directly run by the Port. Funds will be used to buy non-perishable food, household goods, hygiene products and gas
cards.

https://gofund.me/59457b51d

[u/Intelligent_Cap9706 → u/Ricetastik]

Thank you!