WATCH: ICE Agent Saves 1-Year-Old’s Life In TSA Line With Heimlich Maneuver

A routine day at one of the nation’s busiest airports turned into a life-or-death emergency when a one-year-old child suddenly stopped breathing in a crowded security line—only to be saved by a quick-thinking federal agent.

The incident unfolded at John F. Kennedy International Airport, where long TSA lines had already stretched patience thin. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the child became unresponsive while being held by his father, sparking panic among nearby travelers.

Witnesses reported hearing cries for help as the infant’s body went limp.

An agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, stationed nearby to assist with airport operations, immediately rushed toward the commotion. Without hesitation, the officer took the child from the father, assessed the situation, and began performing the Heimlich maneuver.

Within moments, the child began breathing again. Video released by DHS shows the tense moments inside the TSA line, capturing the urgency of the situation and the agent’s rapid response as bystanders looked on.

WATCH:

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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Officials said the infant had gone nearly two minutes without breathing before the intervention, with emergency medical personnel arriving shortly afterward to evaluate the child and determine he was stable enough to continue traveling.

“This heroic officer immediately sprang into action—rushing toward the cries, taking the child, and performing a Heimlich maneuver that restored the infant’s breathing after nearly two minutes,” Homeland Security said. “This officer’s extraordinary bravery embodies the selfless service of DHS law enforcement.”

The dramatic rescue comes as ICE agents have been deployed to assist with airport operations amid ongoing staffing challenges affecting the Transportation Security Administration. While their presence has largely focused on logistics and crowd control, the incident shown the training and readiness of federal law enforcement personnel.

Officials noted this is not an isolated case, pointing to multiple recent emergencies where ICE agents stepped in, including saving a young child in a separate near-drowning incident. For the family involved, the outcome could have been far different.

The incident comes with the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which has strained airport operations nationwide as TSA officers work without pay, leading to widespread callouts and resignations. In response, the Trump administration deployed ICE agents to major airports in an effort to stabilize conditions.

However, those agents are not replacing TSA screeners and are not authorized to conduct security screenings or operate checkpoint equipment. Instead, they are assisting with crowd control, managing long lines, and supporting general airport logistics, as delays at some airports continue to stretch for hours.