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What started as a moment of relief for TSA workers in Atlanta has quickly turned into another setback.
Workers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport who received $1,000 gift cards from Tyler Perry’s team are now being told to return them, according to 11Alive.
The cards were part of an effort by Perry to support Transportation Security Administration employees who have been working for more than six weeks without pay during the ongoing government shutdown — a period that has left many struggling to cover basic expenses.
Perry initially showed up at the airport hoping to give cash directly to workers, but was turned away due to federal rules that prohibit TSA employees from accepting direct monetary gifts, 11Alive reported. His team then pivoted, working through airport management, HR, and legal channels to find an alternative, ultimately returning with $1,000 gift cards for workers.
For many, the gesture landed exactly as intended. Sources told 11Alive the gift cards provided a much-needed boost during a financially and emotionally draining stretch.
But that relief didn’t last.
After the cards were distributed, concerns were raised by the airport’s federal security director about whether the gifts complied with federal regulations. According to 11Alive, that review led to workers being contacted over the weekend and instructed to return the cards — even as some had already used part of the funds.
The reversal has only added to the strain for TSA employees already navigating weeks without a paycheck, highlighting the rigid restrictions federal workers face when it comes to outside financial support — even in moments of crisis.
Neither TSA nor representatives for Perry have publicly commented on the reported decision.
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