Several airports in the United States have launched appeals asking the public to donate food, other essential goods, and vouchers to support the unpaid Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees during the partial government shutdown. Friday, March 13, marked the first full month that the federal agency’s staff has been without a paycheck, with many reporting for unpaid duty to ensure essential services at the airports.
What people can donate
According to Business Insider, a spokesperson for the Denver International Airport (DEN) said that the airport’s leadership and TSA had identified groceries and gas gift cards as “immediate needs” for the TSA staff.
In an X post, the DEN airport wrote “DONATIONS NEEDED”.
“Support the dedicated TSA employees working without pay by donating $10 and $20 grocery store and gas gift cards. Visa gift cards cannot be accepted,” it added.
Due to federal regulations, TSA workers can only accept gift cards of up to $20, and are not allowed to take cash donations or any cash-equivalent cards like Visa gift cards.
It is the second time in a few months that the TSA staff has been left to work without pay, with many airports reopening food pantries that had been launched during last year’s autumn shutdown.
The food and essentials pantry of Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) was first launched during the 2019 lengthy federal government shutdown of Donald Trump’s first presidency and has been reopened for both partial shutdowns of his second.
Shutdown over immigration reforms
The current partial government shutdown began on Feb. 14 after Republican and Democratic lawmakers failed to reach a funding agreement.
Following the high-profile killings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, amid the nationwide escalation of immigration enforcement, Democrats have been refusing to support a bill that would increase funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The DHS covers both the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and the TSA. Democrats say they will not allow the funding without first being guaranteed reforms to the Trump Administration’s controversial immigration enforcement practices.
In the meantime, long queues have formed at the airports’ security checkpoints, and many passengers report waiting for hours due to the disruptions.
Have you donated to support the unpaid TSA staff? Share your experiences in the comments.
