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Visa Delays, TSA Shortages Push Dallas Airport Waits

5/21/2026

35 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Immigration attorney Tessy Ortiz warned visa policies could keep fans out, with some countries facing 100-day waits and consulates backed up for six months.
The Transportation Security Administration lost 1,100 agents in the DHS shutdown, and a hiring cycle limits staffing for the 5-7 million-visitor surge.
Dallas Love Field warned airport wait times may equal or exceed travel, while visa wait times are under two months in nearly 80% of countries.

History

Historical Context

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Congress passed the Homeland Security Act in November 2002, creating the Department of Homeland Security, which began operating in 2003 with over 240,000 staff. The act launched the Transportation Security Administration to secure airports, but early budget freezes trimmed 1,100 TSA positions, a constraint echoed today in visa and staffing backlogs at Dallas Love Field.

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Story summary

Immigration attorney Tessy Ortiz warned visa policies could keep fans out, with some countries facing 100-day waits and consulates backed up for six months.
The Transportation Security Administration lost 1,100 agents in the DHS shutdown, and a hiring cycle limits staffing for the 5-7 million-visitor surge.
Dallas Love Field warned airport wait times may equal or exceed travel, while visa wait times are under two months in nearly 80% of countries.

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