Ryan Knudson

But right now, it's really not fun.

Because the lines these days are out of control.

At Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, one of the busiest airports in the country, the TSA line stretches so far back, you can't even see where it starts.

In Houston, the security line doesn't just stretch.

It descends.

It curves past the departure zone, downstairs through baggage claim, and spills out onto yet another floor.

The lines are bad pretty much everywhere.

It's a huge pain for travelers.

And it's all because of a government funding showdown in Washington.

That's our colleague Michelle Hackman.

She says the shortage of TSA agents is getting really bad at airports across the U.S.,

Which is why, suddenly, a different kind of federal officer started showing up at many U.S.

airports this week.

ICE.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The agency carrying out President Trump's mass deportation agenda.

How unusual is it for ICE to step in at airports like this?

Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power.

I'm Ryan Knudson.

It's Wednesday, March 25th.