Here’s how you can support TSA agents working without pay

More federal immigration officers are making their way to U.S. airports after President Donald Trump said he’d deploy them to supplement the Transportation Security Administration during a government shutdown that has caused long lines at security checkpoints across the country.

Dig deeper:

Monday's deployments of ICE agents came as hundreds of thousands of Homeland Security workers, including from the TSA, have worked without pay since Congress failed to renew DHS funding last month. That’s led many TSA agents to call in sick — or even quit their jobs — as financial strains pile up. The staffing shortages have forced some airports to close checkpoints at times, with wait times swinging dramatically for travelers.

By the numbers:

TSA callout rates climbed over the weekend. Nationwide on Sunday, 11.8% of TSA agents missed work — the highest rate of the shutdown so far — with more than 3,450 officers calling out, according to DHS. More than 400 officers have quit during the shutdown, the department said.

RELATED: ICE agents at airports: Latest details as TSA wait times increase

What they're saying:

Deondre White, a TSA officer at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital this week that officers are "doing the best they can financially."

How you can help TSA agents 

What you can do:

There are limitations on what gifts TSA officers can receive, but here's how you can help:

RELATED: ICE agents are being sent to US airports on Monday: What to know

Gift cards

Denver International Airport in Colorado posted on X: "DONATIONS NEEDED! Support dedicated TSA employees working without pay by contributing $10 or $20 grocery and gas gift cards."

The post continued, "Visa gift cards cannot be accepted."

Food donations

In Seattle, the airport opened a food pantry to support TSA officers.

"If you’d like to help, donations of nonperishable food, hygiene items and diapers can be dropped off at the SEA Conference Center between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.," Seattle-Tacoma International Airport posted on X.

The Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) in Nevada announced a partnership with the Children’s Cabinet to provide essential support—such as weekly groceries—directly to federal employees affected by recent impacts.

The charity World Central Kitchen, more accustomed to feeding those in war zones and disaster areas, started providing meals to Washington, D.C.-area airports after many TSA officers missed their first full paycheck. On Thursday, Feeding San Diego began distributing 400 boxes with pasta, beans and peanut butter as well as fresh produce like strawberries and potatoes to affected agents near the airport after a request from TSA and the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

Rules limit what help TSA officers can accept

Why you should care:

For those wanting to help, it’s not as simple as going to the airport and giving cash or gift cards directly to TSA officers, who are prohibited from accepting gifts at screening locations, according to a DHS spokesperson.

But Aaron Barker, president of the AFGE Local 554 in Georgia, said TSA officer unions don’t have the same restrictions and can accept donations to distribute to their members. Barker recommends those who want to donate look up their local union district on the AFGE website, or give through their local labor council.

"For some people it can be life or death," said Barker. "It’s just sad and terrible that this is happening."

Union members have told Barker they’re unable to cover utility bills or pay for their children’s medical procedures. They’ve received eviction notices or had cars repossessed. They’re having trouble affording routine items, too.

"People don’t think about the things they just naturally have in their home, like toothpaste, bathroom tissue, milk, detergent, dish liquid," he said. "I’m sure those things are a necessity for every TSA officer."

Nonetheless, no donation can be as effective as an end to the shutdown. "The first thing they want is their paycheck," said Barker. "The money is the most immediate need."

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