An ICE agent turned a moment of panic into a lifesaving rescue at one of America’s busiest airports.
A one-year-old child who stopped breathing in a TSA security line at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport was revived by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday as the infant became unresponsive in his father’s arms, triggering panic among nearby travelers.
Within seconds, the ICE agent rushed in.
The officer took the child and performed the Heimlich maneuver, restoring the infant’s breathing after nearly two minutes without air, DHS said.
Emergency medical personnel later evaluated the child, who was deemed healthy enough to continue traveling.
“This would have been a tragic outcome” if the agent had not acted, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.
The dramatic rescue comes as ICE agents have been deployed to major airports during the ongoing DHS shutdown, stepping in to assist overwhelmed TSA operations as staffing shortages stretch security lines and disrupt travel nationwide.
The presence of ICE at airports has sparked controversy, with critics questioning their role and training.
But this incident highlights a different side.
According to DHS, this is the second time in recent weeks that ICE agents have saved a child’s life.
In February, agents in Plymouth, Minnesota, performed CPR on a 4-year-old boy who had fallen into a hotel pool and was unresponsive. The child later regained consciousness.
Mullin pointed to both rescues as evidence that ICE agents are more than just enforcement officers.
“Despite the endless smears… our ICE officers show up every day to protect the Homeland and their fellow Americans,” he said.
Watch the moment below:
At JFK Airport, as travelers waited in hours-long lines, an infant became unresponsive and stopped breathing. The panic of the child’s family and nearby passengers were heard by an ICE agent stationed at a checkpoint.
This heroic officer immediately sprang into action—rushing… pic.twitter.com/JOJaFSEIZK
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 26, 2026
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