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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump said Saturday he will order federal immigration officers to assist with airport security beginning Monday unless Democrats agree on a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security.
In a series of social media posts, Trump announced plans to deploy officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to airports if the congressional deadlock continues. After the Senate failed to reach a resolution during a rare weekend session, Trump remained firm: "ICE is ready to go on Monday," he said.
This announcement comes as the partial government shutdown contributes to long lines at security checkpoints in some of the nation's busiest airports.
WATCH: Long lines, frustrations grow at airports as DHS shutdown strains TSA staffing
The Republican president said ICE agents would extend the administration's immigration enforcement efforts into airports, promising to arrest "all Illegal Immigrants."
"I look forward to moving ICE in on Monday, and have already told them to, 'GET READY.' NO MORE WAITING, NO MORE GAMES!" Trump wrote while spending the weekend in Florida.
This move appears to be a strategic effort to broaden immigration enforcement amid ongoing congressional disputes. Democrats have vowed to oppose DHS funding unless reforms are made following a crackdown in Minnesota that resulted in the fatal shootings of two protesters. Their demands include better identification for federal law enforcement officers, a new code of conduct for these agencies, and increased use of judicial warrants.
The Minnesota operation was partly linked to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents. On Saturday, Trump said ICE officers deployed to airports would focus on arresting immigrants from Somalia who are in the U.S. illegally. Reiterating his criticism, he claimed Somalis "totally destroyed" Minnesota.
READ MORE: As another shutdown affects travelers, is privatizing TSA screenings a solution?
"If the Democrats do not allow for Just and Proper Security at our Airports, and elsewhere throughout our Country, ICE will do the job far better than ever done before," Trump stated.
Trump's posts did not specify how ICE would integrate into airport security or what impact this would have on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is responsible for screening passengers and luggage for hazardous items.
Most TSA employees are considered essential and continue working without pay during the funding lapse. However, call-out rates have increased at some airports, and the Department of Homeland Security reported that at least 376 TSA employees have resigned since the partial shutdown began on February 14.
On Saturday, the Senate rejected a Democratic motion to consider legislation that would reopen TSA and provide pay for workers currently unpaid. Republicans argue that funding must cover all parts of DHS, not just select agencies. A bill to fund the department failed to advance in the Senate on Friday.
READ MORE: Weekend travelers encounter long waits at some airports during DHS shutdown
Despite the stalemate, there were signs of progress as stalled talks between Democrats and the White House resumed in recent days. On Saturday, Republican and Democratic senators met for a third consecutive day with White House officials behind closed doors, with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York describing the discussions as "productive conversations."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., urged the bipartisan group to reach a swift agreement, emphasizing the need for compromise as airport lines continue to grow.
"If that group that's meeting can't come up with a solution really quickly, things are going to get worse and worse," Thune said Saturday.
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Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington contributed to this report.
