TSA’s risky gamble: Air marshals diverted to border duty, leaving flights vulnerable
At a Glance
- TSA unable to guarantee flight safety due to air marshal deployments to southern border
- Over 1,114 air marshals deployed for non-transportation security tasks since 2019
- DHS watchdog criticizes TSA for lack of risk assessment in redeployment strategy
- Concerns rise over compromised air travel security and border management
- Senator Ted Cruz demands answers on potential flight risks from TSA
TSA’s Controversial Border Deployment Strategy
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) finds itself in hot water as it struggles to justify the deployment of Federal Air Marshals (FAMS) to the U.S.-Mexico border. This contentious decision, initiated in 2019, has raised serious questions about the safety of air travel and the agency’s ability to fulfill its core mission. With over 1,114 air marshals redirected to perform tasks unrelated to transportation security, the TSA faces mounting criticism from watchdog agencies, lawmakers, and concerned citizens alike.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General has lambasted the TSA for its failure to assess the impact of these deployments on flight safety. This oversight has left the agency unable to guarantee that the absence of air marshals hasn’t compromised the security of air travel. The situation is further exacerbated by the significant costs associated with the program, with the TSA incurring approximately $45 million in travel and payroll expenses, reimbursed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Border Crisis vs. Air Travel Security
The redeployment of air marshals to the southern border comes at a time of unprecedented challenges in border management. Since President Biden took office, over 6.2 million illegal aliens have been encountered at the southern border, with more than 1.6 million “gotaways.” Even more alarming is the fact that over 150 individuals on the FBI terror watch list have been apprehended at the border since the beginning of the current fiscal year. These statistics underscore the complexity of the situation and the difficult choices faced by the administration in allocating resources.
Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz raised questions in a letter to the TSA. “As the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (“Committee”),” Cruz wrote, “I write regarding the Transportation Security Administration’s (“TSA”) deployment of hundreds of air marshals in the Federal Air Marshal Service (“FAMS”) to the southern border to assist U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) in administering aid to illegal aliens. It is concerning that the administration has prioritized ushering illegal immigrants into the country over protecting the lives and safety of the traveling public.”
However, the decision to deploy air marshals to perform tasks such as perimeter checks and distributing supplies at the border has drawn sharp criticism. The Air Marshal National Council has filed a complaint, arguing that these activities do not align with the TSA’s core mission of ensuring transportation security. This sentiment is echoed by Republican lawmakers, who have introduced legislation to bring air marshals back from the border, citing increased passenger aggression on flights and heightened security risks.
Real-World Consequences of Depleted Air Marshal Presence
The impact of this redeployment strategy is not merely theoretical. Real-world incidents have highlighted the potential dangers of reduced air marshal presence on flights. In March 2023, a harrowing situation unfolded on a United flight when an aggressive man allegedly attempted to open an emergency door and became violent towards crew and passengers. The absence of an air marshal on this flight, due to the border redeployments, led to a chaotic and potentially dangerous situation.
Passenger Gretchün Ciluzzi, who confronted the aggressive individual, recounted the terrifying experience: “Why I did stand up first is because I was really thinking we were going to die.” This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical role air marshals play in maintaining safety and order during flights, and the potential consequences of their absence.
Calls for Accountability and Reform
The controversy has not gone unnoticed in Washington. Senator Ted Cruz has introduced the No FAMS at the Border Act to restrict such deployments unless a crisis is declared. Additionally, Cruz has sent a letter to the TSA demanding answers on the safety risks associated with deploying air marshals to the southwest border. These actions reflect growing concerns about the Biden administration’s priorities and the potential compromise of air travel security.
