Immigration enforcement at U.S. airports has changed significantly in recent months and airports are increasingly being used as active immigration enforcement locations. For many immigrants, including those with green cards, pending immigration cases, or old removal orders, these changes mean that air travel can now carry serious legal risks, even for domestic flights.
Airports Are No Longer “Low-Risk” Places for Immigration Enforcement
For many years, individuals traveling through airports were relatively safe from immigration arrests. However, in recent months there have been reports from individuals, immigration attorneys, and community organizations regarding immigrants being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at airports around the country. And early in December 2025, The New York Times published a story confirming that ICE and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are sharing information to identify people with outstanding immigration removal orders, with the goal of then detaining those individuals at the airport. While it is unknown how many people have been detained by ICE as a result of this collaboration, this previously undisclosed information-sharing program led to the arrest and removal of a 19-year-old college freshman trying to fly home from Boston to Texas to surprise her family at Thanksgiving.
Who Is Most at Risk of Immigration Arrests at Airports?
The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) recently published a helpful community alert full of travel safety tips and other resources for immigrants traveling through U.S.
According to NILC, people at higher risk include:
- Individuals with final orders of removal, even if the order is many years old
- People who had temporary legal status or protections that the government has since ended, such as Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Those who were granted parole through the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) process, Uniting for Ukraine, or the CBP One program may also be at risk.
- Some people with pending immigration applications, even those who have a valid work permit.
- In some cases, lawful permanent residents with old criminal charges or convictions, or complex immigration histories
What Happens If Someone Is Arrested at an Airport
People arrested at airports may:
- Be taken into ICE custody immediately
- Be transferred to detention centers far from their home or family
- Be placed on deportation flights with very little notice
Families are often left without information about where their loved one has been taken or how to help them.
What Immigrants Should Know Before Traveling by Air
If you or a loved one are considering air travel within the U.S., there are a few precautions that you should take:
- Speak with an immigration attorney before traveling. Every situation is unique, but some people could be at more risk than others for ICE enforcement.
- Carry copies of important immigration documents, such as receipts for pending applications or court paperwork
- Make a family emergency plan in case you are detained
- Remember that you generally have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer. Review this comprehensive guide on the rights you have when encountering law enforcement at the airport and potential scenarios you may encounter.
Questions About Travel and Immigration Risk?
Our office regularly advises immigrants and families about travel risks, airport enforcement, and how to protect themselves before flying. If you are unsure whether it is safe for you to travel, consider speaking with one of our experienced immigration attorneys before making plans.
