TSA’s Shoes-Off Airport Screening Policy Draws Renewed Debate

The Department of Homeland Security’s decision to end the requirement for most travelers to remove their shoes during airport screening has prompted calls for the rule to be reinstated. The change, announced in July 2025, has since been addressed in correspondence from members of Congress.

On July 8, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, ended the long-standing Transportation Security Administration policy that required most passengers to take off their shoes at airport checkpoints. The department stated that the update was made possible by advances in scanning technology and a layered approach to security procedures.

Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois wrote to Acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill on April 8, 2026, urging the agency to bring back the shoes-off policy. In her letter, Duckworth described the 2025 policy change as a procedural step that she said could affect traveler safety, referencing a classified report from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

Duckworth stated in the letter that the classified report found TSA scanners were not able to effectively screen shoes. She also said that no corrective measures had been implemented within the required 90-day period following the report’s findings.

What the numbers show

• The shoes-off policy was first introduced in 2006
• The requirement for shoe removal ended on July 8, 2025
• Senator Duckworth’s letter was sent on April 8, 2026

The original shoes-off rule was established in 2006 as part of broader security enhancements at U.S. airports. The policy remained in place for nearly two decades before the Department of Homeland Security announced its conclusion in 2025.

The department justified the policy change by citing improvements in security technology and the use of multiple layers of screening. Officials stated that these measures were designed to maintain security standards while streamlining the screening process for travelers.

Senator Duckworth’s request for reinstatement of the shoes-off policy referenced a classified inspector general report, which she said highlighted limitations in current scanning equipment. According to her letter, the absence of corrective action following the report’s release was a concern she raised with TSA leadership.

As of April 2026, the debate over the shoes-off requirement continues, with policymakers and agencies reviewing the effectiveness of current airport security measures and the potential need for further adjustments.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.