On Monday, April 7, 2026, Reuters uncovered, using internal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data, that ICE had arrested over 800 individuals based on tips from federal airport security officials from the start of Donald Trump’s presidential term in 2025 through February 2026. The data also showed that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the U.S. government agency responsible for airport security, shared over 31,000 traveler records for potential immigration enforcement with ICE, collected through TSA’s Secure Flight Program.
TSA’s Secure Flight Program was introduced in 2007 as a counter-terrorism measure to review passenger information for individuals who may be on U.S. government watchlists. While TSA and ICE are both part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), they historically worked together to counter national security threats through sharing information, not for immigration efforts. It is unclear how many individuals were arrested in airports.
What Is Happening at Airports and Can Traveler Information Be Shared?
Over the past year, individuals have been detained or arrested at airports while traveling. In November, a college student was detained while traveling for Thanksgiving, and the day before Trump’s airport deployment began, a mother was arrested at the San Francisco Airport. The DHS stated both were due to final orders of removal.
TSA and ICE are both under the DHS, meaning TSA is permitted to share traveler information with ICE, including names, photos, etc., which ICE can then use to check with their own records. Individuals with past deportation orders, pending applications, criminal history (regardless of whether they hold a green card), legal status that has been revoked or will be revoked soon, and DACA holders may be at risk for arrests or deportations.
Be Prepared and Know Your Rights When Traveling
If you are traveling, there are several ways to be prepared. It is important to bring physical copies of key documents, such as a pending application, a lawful status, or, if your case was closed, certified copies of criminal court orders. It is recommended to secure your devices and print your boarding pass to decrease the likelihood of law enforcement searching your device. Additionally, memorize the phone numbers of your immigration or deportation attorney and of a loved one who would be able to help, as well as share your itinerary.
It is also important to know your rights. While going through TSA, agents may ask about your citizenship, where you are traveling, search through your belongings, submit a pat-down, and detain you if they feel you are performing an illegal activity or are a security risk. TSA cannot target you for more than a screening based on race, ethnicity, or religion, force a pat-down from someone of a different gender, force you to remove specific items of religious clothing without a private room, or handcuff you without probable cause that you will or have committed a crime.
Customs and Border Protection agents can ask about citizenship, the purpose of the trip, examine baggage, take electronic items (however, they cannot force you to unlock them), and request valid documentation to verify identity. Customs and Border Protection cannot target individuals based on ethnicity, religion, or race, perform a strip search without reasonable suspicion, or have a long secondary screening without allowing an attorney to be present.
All individuals in the United States, regardless of citizenship status, possess constitutional rights, such as the right to remain silent, the right to due process, freedom of speech and religion, and the right to counsel.
Contact A Deportation Attorney Today
Reeves Immigration Law Group understands that this is a difficult and frightening time, and is here to stand by you. If you have upcoming traveling plans, it is important to be prepared and know your rights. If you are unsure of the best next step to take, contact us today to speak with one of our highly skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced deportation attorneys.
Our deportation attorneys have been helping individuals navigate the complex and changing legislation for over 40 years and have achieved success in the most complex of cases. Reeves Immigration Law Group promises to stand by your side and assist you with your immigration needs.
