Democrats rip Trump's ICE airport move as shutdown nears 40 days: 'no reason'

Democrats blasted President Donald Trump's decision to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to airports across the country on Monday as travel centers struggle to maintain a security presence amid a partial government shutdown, which is now nearing the 40-day mark.

"There's absolutely no reason for him to do that," said Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas. "[Trump] has put a stop to it."

Instead of using ICE to meet security needs at airports, Escobar said that Congress should pass a proposal that separates funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from the gridlock.

"I think it's a horrible, horrible idea that's just going to cause more problems," Grijalva said.

Democrats have conditioned their support for DHS funding on a ban on masks for ICE agents, stiffer warrant requirements for apprehending suspects in public and a ban on roaming patrols, among other changes.

"I think that their whole job is to try to pick people off that they think are not legally in the United States. That's most of our big travel hubs," Grijalva said.

She expressed concern that ICE agents wouldn't have sufficient time to receive the training afforded to regular airport security.

"So, if you think about it, I don't know how they would be helpful in making people feel calm. If I were an international traveler, I wouldn't want to come to the United States to deal with a rogue agency that is under-trained," Grijalva said.