Thousands of Transportation Security Administration employees (TSAVacations are currently underway due to the partial U.S. government shutdown, forcing authorities to look for ways to manage growing crowds at airport terminals.
In response to this situation, the Trump administration has dispatched Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to assist in the operation. Monday, from ice According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), more than 3,450 TSA officers, or about 11.8% of the workforce, failed to report to work Sunday and were assigned to at least 14 airports in the New York City area, including LaGuardia, JFK and Newark.
federal authorities said ice Agents will oversee crowd management and monitor exits. However, Gothamist reported that the presence of these agents did not significantly improve the flow of security lines.
Concerns about law enforcement roles
The presence of ICE agents at the airport has raised concerns about possible immigration enforcement at the domestic terminal. Officials said the purpose of the deployment was to assist operations and not to enforce immigration laws.
If ICE agents believe an immigration violation has occurred, they can approach individuals, question them, and in some cases detain them.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said federal authorities had made clear “this deployment was not intended to conduct immigration enforcement activities.”
During previous presidential administrations, individuals without permanent immigration status frequently traveled on domestic flights without issue, according to immigration attorneys. However, under President Donald Trump, ICE arrests at airports have increased significantly even before the recent deployment.
“There’s always a risk when you’re undocumented,” New York City immigration attorney Robert Tsigler said, according to Gothamist. “But now, with ICE agents hanging out at the airport, the risk has definitely been heightened significantly.”
How passengers must prepare for air travel (whether domestic or international)
1. Check your risk: Determine whether ICE has legal grounds to detain you. The most effective way is to consult an immigration attorney.
You can check if you have an order of removal by contacting the Executive Office for Immigration Review automated hotline (1-800-898-7180) or by visiting the EOIR website. To access this information, you will need your A number, which is a nine-digit identifier assigned to you by immigration authorities.
2. Make sure you bring legal ID to the airport. We also recommend that you bring the necessary immigration documents to prove your legal right to be in and enter the United States. (Note: This type of documentation is essential for international travel and is best carried when traveling domestically as well.)
U.S. citizen: your passport
lawful permanent resident: Your foreign passport, permanent resident card (commonly called a “green card”), and Form G-28 (a form filled out by your immigration attorney)
visa holder: Your foreign passport, visa, Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record), Form I-20 (Proof of Student Status for Student Visa), Form I-797 Visa Approval Notice, Form G-28 (form completed by your immigration attorney), and any other important immigration documents.
3. Share your itinerary and immigration attorney contact information with family or friends.
4. Print your itinerary, contact information for your immigration attorney, and emergency contact information and keep it with you.
5. Be prepared for possible doubts and delays.
What documents should I bring with me when traveling domestically?
Although not mandatory, it is recommended that you have documentation indicating your current status. This may include your passport, latest I-94, I-797 approval notice (if relevant), visa stamp (if applicable), recent pay stubs for H-1B or L-1 status, and letters verifying your employment. Having these documents on hand can help resolve any inquiries that may arise more quickly.
What to do if you are undocumented or lack legal status
• Avoid airports unless absolutely necessary, especially if you have expired your visa or rely on programs such as DACA, TPS, or humanitarian parole.
• Discretionary protection may not always be recognized by on-site officials.
• Passenger information may be cross-referenced with law enforcement databases prior to boarding.
• Consult a legal professional before traveling.
What to do if ICE contacts you
• Stay calm and do not provide unnecessary information.
• Avoid making false statements, as this is a federal crime.
• Do not sign any document without first consulting legal counsel.
• You have the right to invoke the protections of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.
• You are under no obligation to answer inquiries about your place of birth or immigration status.
Consult with your advocate
As advocates advise, noncitizen travelers concerned about the possibility of being arrested by ICE at the airport should seek the advice of an immigration attorney before traveling.
In addition, attorneys suggest that immigrant parents concerned about ICE arrests should consider appointing temporary guardians for their children in case the children are detained or deported.
