Unpaid federal employees have called out from duty, leaving reduced screening capacity at major airports, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where travelers faced hours-long waits, according to accounts from passengers attempting to reach destinations such as Washington.

The disruption has driven some travelers to rail alternatives, including overnight services operated by Amtrak. The Crescent line, connecting the southeastern United States to Washington, has seen increased reliance from passengers seeking certainty amid airport congestion.

Rail stations reported fewer delays tied to security processing, with passengers boarding closer to departure times and avoiding bottlenecks associated with the Transportation Security Administration, which has been affected by staffing shortages during the shutdown.

The budget standoff, rooted partly in disputes over immigration enforcement funding, has also drawn in agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which remains central to the administration’s policy agenda.

The partial shutdown has left gaps in federal operations, including airport screening, highlighting vulnerabilities in essential travel infrastructure when government funding lapses.

The shift toward rail underscores long-standing structural dynamics in U.S. transportation, where policy, subsidies and political priorities have historically shaped the balance between rail, road and air travel.

While air travel remains the dominant mode for long-distance domestic journeys, the current disruption has revived reliance on legacy rail networks, particularly along the East Coast corridor linking major urban centers.

The Senate reached a bipartisan proposal to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding immigration enforcement, but House Republican leaders rejected the measure, prolonging the impasse and its effects on national mobility.

In a report titled “Humanity Must Win,” the London-based rights group urged FIFA and host governments to take “urgent action” to ensure the safety and rights of players, supporters and local populations during the tournament, which begins on June 11.

Amnesty said FIFA’s pledge to deliver a tournament where everyone feels “safe, included and free to exercise their rights” contrasts with conditions in host nations, particularly the United States, which will stage the majority of the 104 matches.

The organization described the U.S. as facing a “human rights emergency” under Donald Trump, citing mass deportations, arbitrary arrests and what it characterized as “paramilitary-style” operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It noted that ICE officials have indicated the agency will play a central role in World Cup security arrangements.

The report also referenced public backlash following the killing of two U.S. citizens during protests against ICE raids in Minneapolis earlier this year.Gaps in fan protection measuresAmnesty said host city plans published so far do not clearly address how fans or residents would be shielded from immigration enforcement during the tournament.

It added that supporters from some participating nations, including Ivory Coast, Haiti, Iran and Senegal, could face travel restrictions to the United States.LGBTQ+ fan groups in Europe have also indicated reluctance to attend matches in the U.S., citing concerns over protections for transgender individuals.

FIFA has said the expanded 48-team tournament the largest in World Cup history will proceed as scheduled, with all qualified teams expected to participate. The governing body has not publicly responded to Amnesty’s latest report.

The organization expects to generate around $11 billion in revenue from the 2026 World Cup cycle, drawing renewed scrutiny from rights groups over its responsibilities toward stakeholders.

Steve Cockburn, Amnesty’s head of economic and social justice, said that while FIFA stands to benefit financially, “fans, communities, players, journalists and workers cannot be made to pay the price.

”The tournament is set to open in Mexico City and conclude on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

A “Notice to Appear” (NTA) was sent by ICE, marking the initial phase of a deportation process. The email, reportedly received by Taal’s legal team on Friday, invited him to present himself at the Homeland Security Investigations Office in Syracuse at a mutually agreed time for formal service of the NTA and surrender to ICE custody.

Taal’s attorneys have strongly condemned the development, labeling it an attack on free speech. They emphasized that their client had already taken legal action to prevent the deportation of foreign protesters, highlighting concerns over political retaliation. Taal has also claimed he was doxxed for his activism.

This move aligns with President Donald Trump’s hardline stance on foreign pro-Hamas demonstrators. Trump has previously vowed to deport such protesters, asserting they support Hamas and hold antisemitic views. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, reject this characterization, arguing that their advocacy for Palestinian rights is distinct from support for Hamas or antisemitism.

Taal was previously disciplined by Cornell University after he and other activists disrupted a career fair that included defense industry recruiters. Following this incident, he was ordered to continue his studies remotely.

ICE has not provided a timeline for Taal’s potential deportation and has yet to issue an official comment.

Taal’s case is not an isolated one. Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student, was arrested earlier this month and is challenging his detention. Trump has publicly accused Khalil, without evidence, of supporting Hamas. Similarly, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian student at Georgetown University, was detained this week. His lawyer has denied any connection to Hamas, and a federal judge has temporarily blocked his deportation.

The administration’s intensified deportation efforts have drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, which argue that these actions infringe upon free speech and the right to protest. The legal battles surrounding these cases are expected to continue as advocacy groups rally in support of the affected students.