Tyler Perry gets $250K workaround to help unpaid TSA workers at Atlanta airport
Tyler Perry found a workaround after being blocked from handing out money to struggling TSA workers during the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.
Perry, 56, returned to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, where he gave 250 TSA officers $1,000 gift cards — totaling $250,000, according to People.
The administration’s first plan to distribute money directly to officers failed because of federal rules that prohibit on-duty TSA agents from accepting gifts.
Instead, the billionaire media mogul changed tack — offering Visa gift cards that could still provide meaningful relief to workers who have gone six weeks without pay as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown continues.
“It went through a legal process with TSA,” TSA Georgia president Aaron Barker told the outlet.
Sources told 11Alive that the envelopes have brought tangible relief, with many workers expressing gratitude for the unexpected support as financial pressure continues to mount.
On Thursday, Perry appeared intent on personally donating money to help TSA officers struggle to cover basic expenses.
Even though he couldn’t follow, he spent time talking to the agents, taking pictures and thanking them for continuing to work on the problem – an act that still boosted morale.
A DHS spokesperson told The Associated Press that TSA officers are not allowed to accept gifts at checkpoints.
However, Barker said donations can be sent to labor unions and given to members.
Perry previously released $1.5 million in funding through the 2025 shutdown to help Atlanta families cut SNAP benefits.
Security lines at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport have grown significantly, with wait times often reaching five hours and, in some cases, extending into baggage claim areas.
Travelers are advised to arrive four to five hours before scheduled departures to avoid missing flights.
The situation in Washington has not been resolved. House Republicans on Friday night advanced a path to freeze DHS funding after rejecting a Senate-passed bill that did not include funding for immigration enforcement.
The move is expected to extend the six-week government shutdown, as the House proposal — which would fund DHS for 60 days — faces little chance in the Senate.
President Donald Trump also signed an executive order Friday authorizing DHS to pay TSA workers during the shutdown, a move officials say could help ease long security lines at airports.
A DHS spokesperson said in a subsequent statement: “TSA officers should begin seeing paychecks beginning Monday, March 30.”
In the meantime, Perry’s renewed effort has provided at least some immediate relief to those still waiting in Washington.
