New Delhi, March 23 -- US President Donald Trump on Monday (March 23) said he would "greatly appreciate" Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers not wearing face coverings while assisting at US airports during the ongoing disruption.

"I am a BIG proponent of ICE wearing masks as they search for. hardened criminals," Trump wrote, adding: "I would greatly appreciate, however, NO MASKS, when helping our Country out of the Democrat caused MESS at the airports."

He reiterated that masks remain appropriate during enforcement operations but not during airport support duties.

The directive comes as ICE officers are being deployed to major US airports to assist the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is facing staffin...