ICE Officer Saves Baby Who Stopped Breathing at Airport

Articles | March 26, 2026 | by Catholics for Catholics

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A 1-year-old boy was being held by his father at the TSA line when he suddenly stopped breathing.

By Catholics for Catholics

In the midst of somber news coming from airports undergoing a government shutdown and hectic, long, exasperating lines, a heroic Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer sprang into action after a baby suddenly stopped breathing at JFK International Airport in New York on Thursday.

The baby was stuck in a crowded TSA line with his family when he stopped breathing, according to a story by The Daily Wire. 

Some video footage released by the Department of Homeland Security showed a man holding a baby, when he noticed something was amiss with the child and started to rush out of the line. Noticing the problem, an ICE agent ran over to help the man. The officer performed a Heimlich maneuver, and the baby started breathing again, the Homeland Security Department said.

🚨 ICE agent saves toddler at JFK:

A 1-year-old collapsed and stopped breathing in a TSA line before a quick-thinking agent stepped in and revived the child, preventing a tragedy.pic.twitter.com/ltio6OqB0O

— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) March 26, 2026

“This officer’s extraordinary bravery embodies the selfless service of DHS law enforcement,” Homeland Security added.

According to Fox News, the baby was a 1-year-old boy who was being held by his father when he suddenly stopped breathing.

“The agent working at his post heard the screams from the father and other passengers and sprinted to the scene,” the DHS told Fox News. “The father handed the child to the officer, who then assessed the unresponsive child and began performing the Heimlich maneuver. After a few seconds, the child started breathing again. EMS personnel arrived on scene with medical equipment to further monitor and re-assess the child. The child was re-assessed and determined to be healthy enough to fly.”

Earlier this week, ICE officers were dispatched to airports by President Donald Trump to help with crowd control and security as the partial government shutdown affecting TSA employees persists. Despite the backlash by Democrats, many American travelers have praised the ICE agents for helping bring down wait times at busy airports and for handing out water and helping people navigate the airport nuisances.