2 hours ago
For over 30 days, TSA employees have been working without pay, leading to more than 400 TSA workers quitting and record numbers calling out sick. These shortages have caused hour-long security lines at airports.
The head of TSA operations in San Diego highlighted that the partial government shutdown is affecting not only airport security lines but also the livelihoods of many federal employees facing significant financial pressure.
"Absolute shock because thatâs just the most ridiculous thing Iâve heard yet out of this," said Robert Mack.
Mack was responding to President Trumpâs announcement on Truth Social that ICE agents will be sent to airports on Monday, following Senate leaders' failure to reach a funding agreement for the Department of Homeland Security.
Robert Mack oversees TSA operations at San Diego International Airport and serves as the Chief Steward with the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1260.
He joined the agency after the 9/11 attacks, feeling a civic duty to protect the homeland.
"My heart spoke to me. You have an opportunity to defend your homeland, your homefront," Mack said.
However, the career he once viewed as promising is now causing financial strain and instability for him and many TSA employees.
"Weâre all hurting. Literally, checking accounts are all wiped out. We havenât recovered from the last two shutdowns," Mack added.
Mack is among thousands of TSA employees working without pay since DHS funding expired last month.
Democrats have vowed to withhold funding until Republicans agree to new reforms for ICE.
On Saturday, Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic bill that would have funded only TSA, excluding the rest of DHS.
President Trump then warned on social media that if TSA is not funded by Monday, "ICE is ready to go" and will take over airport security duties.
He added that ICEâs work would include the "immediate arrest of all Illegal Immigrants who have come into the country."
"I think heâs completely wrong... there are really good immigrants here, theyâve been here for 20, 30, 40, 50 years... they pay their taxes and theyâre good people," said Barnard Jourdain, a traveler passing through San Diego.
As agents continue working without pay and the political stalemate persists, Mack expects more TSA employees will call out or leave what was once a promising career.
"My duty is still the same, but at the end, if I canât put food on my table or keep a roof over my head, the people Iâm supposed to be taking care of are failing me," Mack said.
NBC 7 San Diego reached out to TSA for comment and is awaiting a response.
