Trump Orders ICE Agents to Airports for 'Immediate Arrest of All Illegal Immigrants' Targeting Somalis

Amid a partial government shutdown causing TSA staff shortages and airport delays, President Trump announced on Truth Social that he would deploy ICE agents to airports starting March 23, 2026. He stated their mission would include 'the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country, with heavy emphasis on those from Somalia.' The order came as Trump pressured Democrats to fund the Department of Homeland Security, threatening to use immigration enforcement as airport security personnel. The singling out of Somali immigrants echoed previous unsubstantiated fraud accusations by his administration and discriminatory rhetoric targeting Somali-American communities, particularly Rep. Ilhan Omar's district.

"the immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into our Country, with heavy emphasis on those from Somalia" — Posted on Truth Social on March 21, 2026, announcing ICE deployment to airports during a government shutdown affecting TSA staffing. The directive explicitly singled out Somali immigrants for targeted enforcement.