ICE arrests at airports are increasing across the U.S., leaving many noncitizen travelers worried. Here's why domestic flights are becoming a growing immigration enforcement hotspot.

ICE arrests at airports are becoming more common across the United States, especially in California's Bay Area. Immigration advocates say more than a dozen people have been detained at airports since late June, raising concerns for non-U.S. citizens who thought domestic travel was safe. Lawyers and community groups are now asking people without U.S. citizenship to think carefully before booking a flight, especially if they have unresolved immigration issues.

Why are people being detained at airports?

A major reason is the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Secure Flight program. Every time someone books a flight, airlines send basic passenger details, such as name, date of birth, and gender, to TSA for security checks. Since TSA and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are both part of the Department of Homeland Security, ICE can compare those passenger lists with its immigration records. If someone is flagged, immigration officers may be waiting at the airport.

Recent reports suggest that this information-sharing has helped ICE identify thousands of travelers for possible immigration action.

"We've been seeing more and more of these cases, not just in the Bay Area but across the country," said Jazmin Preciado, an attorney with Centro Legal de la Raza

Several recent cases have raised concerns

One case involved a man from Argentina who was stopped at Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport while preparing to fly to Texas. He and his wife had stayed in the U.S. after their visas expired during the COVID-19 pandemic. He had taken another domestic flight just a few months earlier without any problems, so he didn't expect to be detained. He spent several days in an immigration detention center before legal advocates helped secure his release through a court order.

In another widely shared case, San Francisco photographer and barista Iryna Gorb was detained at San Francisco International Airport while traveling. Another Bay Area resident was also arrested at Denver International Airport. Community groups say they have recorded several similar cases in recent weeks, suggesting this is no longer unusual.

Should noncitizens be worried about domestic travel?

As Business Fortune observes, immigration lawyers say not everyone is at risk but people with expired visas, pending immigration cases, or removal orders should understand the possible consequences before flying. And federal officials say the sharing of passenger information between TSA and ICE is legal because both agencies are part of the same department. TSA has also said that supporting immigration enforcement is part of its responsibilities.

However, immigrant rights groups argue that a system originally created to stop terrorism is now being used more often for immigration enforcement, leaving many travelers uncertain about what could happen at the airport.

FAQs

Why are ICE arrests at airports increasing?

Advocates say stronger immigration enforcement and increased sharing of passenger information have led to more airport arrests.

Can ICE stop someone at a domestic airport?

Yes. If ICE identifies someone who may have immigration issues, officers can detain that person at the airport.

What is the TSA Secure Flight program?

It is a security system that collects passenger information before flights to help verify identities and improve air travel security.

Who could be affected by these airport arrests?

People with expired visas, pending immigration cases, or other unresolved immigration matters may face a higher risk of detention.

What should noncitizens do before traveling?

Immigration attorneys recommend speaking with an immigration lawyer if there is any uncertainty about immigration status before booking a domestic flight.