MIAMI — Travelers at Miami International Airport encountered unpredictable security lines and mounting frustration in recent weeks as a partial government shutdown strained Transportation Security Administration operations during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Long queues snaked through terminals at MIA and neighboring Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in March 2026, with some passengers reporting waits of up to 35 minutes or more during morning peaks. The disruptions coincided with spring break crowds, East Coast weather delays and a federal funding impasse that left thousands of TSA workers unpaid and prompted hundreds of call-outs or resignations nationwide.

As of early April 2026, conditions at MIA have largely stabilized. Real-time data from the airport's official website shows standard security checkpoint waits ranging from 8 to 18 minutes depending on the lane, with TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes often clearing in under 5 minutes. Checkpoint 1 remained closed in recent updates, while others operated with fluctuating but manageable volumes. Immigration processing, however, continued to see longer delays, sometimes exceeding 45 minutes.

The partial shutdown, which affected Department of Homeland Security funding, forced many TSA officers to work without pay since mid-February. Union leaders described the situation as "dire," noting more than 450 officers had quit nationally since the impasse began. Absenteeism spiked, leading airports across the country — including major hubs like Atlanta and Houston — to post waits of an hour or longer on some days. South Florida airports experienced similar volatility,........

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