Air travelers across the U.S. faced long waits at airport security checkpoints on Sunday as the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shows no signs of ending. Lines at some airports stretched well over an hour, with reports of waits exceeding three hours in Houston.
The shutdown, triggered by a funding lapse in mid-February amid congressional disagreements over immigration reform, has left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staffing severely impacted. Airports, including Houston’s William P. Hobby, George Bush Intercontinental, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, and Charlotte Douglas International, reported unusually long security lines. At Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, travelers were advised to arrive at least three hours before departure.
Footage from CNN affiliate WWL in New Orleans showed the security line snaking from inside the terminal to the parking garage, with one passenger describing it as circling the garage seven times before reaching the checkpoint. TSA personnel have been working with reduced staff and only partial paychecks, creating financial strain and gaps in coverage.
“The government shutdown may impact security operations from one day—and even one shift to the next,” Hobby Airport said on social media, urging travelers for patience as federal staff work to maintain safety. DHS spokesperson Lauren Bis blamed Democrats for the ongoing delays, citing missed paychecks and resulting staffing shortages as the cause.
The situation comes as DHS prepares for a leadership change following President Donald Trump’s recent firing of Secretary Kristi Noem, with Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin set to assume the role on March 31. Airports continue coordinating with TSA to manage the lines, but travelers are being warned to expect extended delays throughout the travel week.
