Travelers stuck in massive TSA lines give hilarious updates to helpful ICE agents

Travelers at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport thanked US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for helping the TSA, with some saying they had been waiting in line for three to four hours.

While travelers at Washington, DC’s Reagan National Airport expressed disdain for the presence of federal agents at major airports, people hoping to find flights in Houston took a different tone.

“I think it was very helpful. They were helping people go to the right places and helping them,” one traveler named Pinal told Fox News Digital.

Pinal, who was waiting in line outside the airport, said that despite the controversy surrounding ICE, “I didn’t feel unsafe.”

DHS SHUTDOWN BREAKTHROUGH COMES AT COSTS FOR REPUBLICANS AS FUNDING FIGHTS CLOSE

“I think it’s great, to have someone come out here and take it forward,” one traveler waiting outside, identified as Lancet, told Fox News Digital. “I’m glad they’re here, and I feel safe, I feel completely safe.”

Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport was among the airports hardest hit by the partial government shutdown, which resulted in TSA agents missing payments for more than 40 days. About 500 TSA agents have quit, and as of Friday, the agency has missed $1 billion in pay.

The shutdown was caused in part by disagreements in Congress over the use of ICE and Border Patrol immigration laws in US cities, with Democrats making funding dependent on major changes in tactics and policy. On Thursday night, the Senate passed a bill to fund most of DHS, including TSA, but not the final one. The House still needs to approve the measure and send it to the president before funding can begin and workers can be paid.

Meanwhile, the impact of the partial shutdown continues to be felt across the country. On Thursday, the Bush lines went in and out, asking for luggage, and out the doors and subway tunnels. One traveler whose name has not been released estimates that he and his family had to walk two kilometers to get to the back of the line. While many arrived hours before their scheduled departure times, others were seen scrambling for terminals with shorter lines.

ICE had a strong presence at the airport on Thursday, with agents directing travelers, dispensing water and assisting flight crews in setting up new routes.

“I feel safe with them here, you know, there’s a lot of people here, and having the police here is just like, it’s refreshing to know that law enforcement is there to keep everything under control,” a young man named Matt told Fox News Digital.

DHS SHUTDOWN ENTERS 41ST DAY AS TSA AGENTS SUCCEED IN BREAKDOWN

Matt said he and his friend, Nick, had a friendly interaction with the agent when they arrived at the airport.

“He didn’t have to talk to us, like he sent us good words, you know?” he said.

“I feel like you hear a lot of things on social media and stuff about bad people. I just think about them, and I’m like man, just imagine people being fed things. [online]that he is putting their lives in danger, that they have a bad heart. And he’s like … that guy was so cute,” Nick said.

“Sometimes messages can make people hate people who work and just try[ing] to do their job,” added Nick.

Meanwhile, underground, where the overflowing line to get through TSA stretched well past the next few terminals, passengers’ biggest complaint was the heat from the malfunctioning air conditioning system.

“It’s hot. Very hot,” said a traveler named April.

April said she was grateful for the presence of ICE agents. “They gave us water to drink, they said in the morning when we entered, I’m sure they are also suffering down here,” he said.

“They were nice, very kind, very helpful. They found water,” said another traveler named Maria with a big smile.

WOMAN FROM BORDEAUX OBOVINO SAYS WANTS ‘REAL HOLDERS’

While the majority of travelers who spoke to Fox News Digital said they believe ICE’s presence at the airport is a good thing, one traveler named Tim said he felt “indifferent.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM

“I didn’t feel safe before without them, so that doesn’t add or detract from that,” he explained.

Outside a very busy terminal, an unidentified female traveler told Fox News Digital, “I’m thankful that they stepped in and helped. Everyone is very kind and calm and giving water and doing what they’re supposed to do.”

“There are many people to blame,” he continued. “But at least I think the important part is that everyone works together to try to be as efficient as possible.”

“I got here at 10, and my flight is at 1:30. So, I got there in enough time, hopefully,” he added.