Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Mar 9: Thousands of travellers faced hours-long queues at major US airports on Sunday as increased spring travel coincided with a shortage of security personnel working without pay during a partial government shutdown.

Photos circulating online showed passengers standing in lengthy lines at security checkpoints operated by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at airports in Houston and New Orleans.

The DHS has been without funding since February 14 after United States Congress failed to reach an agreement on a funding bill. The administration of Donald Trump blamed the delays on Democrats, who refused to approve funding without immigration reforms.

Queues at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport stretched into the airport’s car park, with travellers taking to social media to express frustration.

Airport authorities said the delays were due to a shortage of workers and advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure.

Similarly, at William P. Hobby Airport, waiting times at security checkpoints could exceed three hours, prompting officials to recommend travellers reach the airport four to five hours before their flights.

Passengers such as Ben Brasch, who was waiting in line outside the New Orleans airport, told local media he had already been standing in the queue for 15 minutes while still in the parking area.

“I hope we make our flight,” he said, adding that he felt sorry for airport workers dealing with the situation.

Security checks at US airports are managed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which falls under the DHS.

Although TSA officers are considered essential workers and must continue working for public safety, they have been operating without pay since funding ran out. Officials say they are expected to receive back pay once the shutdown ends.

According to DHS officials, the shutdown has created financial hardship, staff absences and significant staffing shortages among TSA personnel.

The partial shutdown began after Democrats refused to approve funding for the DHS without reforms to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), another agency under the department.
ICE operations have not been heavily affected because Congress had already approved funding for the agency earlier.

However, Democrats have been pushing for reforms after two protesters, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, were killed during demonstrations against immigration raids in Minneapolis earlier this year.

Proposed reforms include restricting immigration agents from wearing face masks, requiring clearer identification for officers and tightening rules for obtaining warrants.

Repeated votes in Congress to pass funding measures have so far failed.

Patty Murray, a senator from Washington, said Democrats want TSA workers to be paid but will not support what she described as a “blank cheque” allowing unchecked immigration enforcement.

As the shutdown continues, officials warn that similar delays could occur at other US airports in the coming weeks if the funding deadlock remains unresolved.