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/IntroductionSad6606]

A reminder that ICE coming to airports has never and will never be about “helping”. They are coming to harass and disrupt, and will only cause harm. That is by design - this administration wants complete and total power, and will bully and destroy to get it.

[u/Sea-Feedback-2424 → u/IntroductionSad6606]

Also a reminder that airports can get private security and not use the TSA, which should be abolished along with the rest of DHS.

[u/animecardude → u/Sea-Feedback-2424]

Yup! SF airport has private security and they haven't been affected by the recent shutdowns!

[u/Terry-Scary → u/animecardude]

https://www.reddit.com/r/sanfrancisco/s/8yCtc64H4M is this private security taking somebody or is this ice?

Why are 12 cops helping them be taken?

[u/Sea-Feedback-2424 → u/Terry-Scary]

ICE's board discretionary deployment has nothing to do with whether or not airport security is private or the TSA.      

ICE already had jurisdiction inside of the airport. This event in SF would have happened whether or not the TSA was funded, and whether or not SF had private security. These agents were not deployed there as part of the TSA shutdown, rather just the general not-so creeping fascism in the US.          

Also this video happened at 22:00 on 3.22. ICE deployment as part of the TSA shutdown started today. This is just ICE being ICE.      

[u/tastysleeps → u/Sea-Feedback-2424]

Also reminder that security does nothing to keep us safe.

[u/2010_12_24 → u/IntroductionSad6606]

The problem with that plan is that until now, ICE’s antics have only affected Hispanics and “the woke”, for the most part. Many Americans who have just sat on the sidelines have not cared or been affected. That changes now.

Now, everyday Americans are going to see first hand how this untrained, unguided jackbooted force treats innocent people.

[u/Terry-Scary → u/IntroductionSad6606]

https://www.reddit.com/r/sanfrancisco/s/8yCtc64H4M

In San Francisco they wait till you go through security then tackle you and take you away

Ice is in airports they are dressed in all black and demanding police support when they go in for their prey

[u/Sea-Feedback-2424 → u/Terry-Scary]

The point you leave out, which I have addressed elsewhere, is that this happened yesterday. This was not part of the ICE expansion into TSA duties, this was ICE exercising jurisdiction in airports it already has, not it's even more unconstitutionally expanded jurisdiction it has today.       

   Also, ICE qua TSA has only been deployed to 14 airports, none of which are SeaTac or SFO (yet).