An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent saved the life of a 1-year-old boy at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday. The child stopped breathing while in a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) line, prompting the agent to perform the Heimlich maneuver. After a few seconds, the child resumed breathing and was deemed healthy enough to fly by emergency medical personnel.
The incident occurred amid a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown that left TSA agents without pay, leading to ICE agents assisting with security lines. This is the second child saved by ICE officers in recent weeks. On February 20, off-duty ICE agents in Plymouth, Minnesota, performed CPR on a 4-year-old boy who had nearly drowned in a hotel pool.
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin highlighted the agent's actions, stating that the officer's intervention prevented a tragic outcome. The agency emphasized the agent's bravery and selfless service, noting that the child was unresponsive for nearly two minutes before regaining consciousness.
The father of the child handed the infant to the ICE officer after noticing the child was unresponsive. Security footage showed the father panicking before the agent arrived. The boy was later cleared by paramedics and allowed to continue his flight.
ICE agents have been deployed to several U.S. airports to assist with security lines during the DHS shutdown. Initially, they were seen managing lines or guarding exits, but recent reports suggest they have become more hands-on in assisting passengers.