The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has intensified efforts to detain foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas while traveling through domestic airports. This expanded enforcement comes amid reports that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is sharing passenger information with ICE, enabling immigration officers to identify and arrest individuals with expired visa status during airport check-in or boarding procedures.
Since the beginning of this heightened campaign, at least 27 people from more than a dozen countries have been detained at airports across the country, including major hubs in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, Nashville, and San Francisco. ICE officials have indicated that this initiative is part of a broader effort to meet ambitious arrest targets set by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with a daily goal of approximately 2,000 immigration arrests nationwide.
The program traces back to a data-sharing agreement forged between ICE and TSA in May 2025. While DHS has confirmed the cooperation, the specifics of the data exchanged remain largely redacted. This collaboration marks a significant policy shift, as previous administrations generally avoided involving TSA in immigration enforcement to minimize disruptions to domestic travel. Under the current administration, however, officials have emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward visa overstays, framing the expanded airport arrests as a means to prevent individuals residing unlawfully from traveling freely within the United States.
Immigration attorneys and advocates highlight that many detainees caught under this program reside in a legal gray area, with ongoing visa extension applications or pending green card petitions. Among those arrested are individuals married to U.S. citizens, professionals awaiting work permit renewals, and exchange visitors with pending applications to adjust their status. One notable case is that of Chantal Morales Rojas, a 27-year-old from Ecuador who was detained as she boarded a flight at Denver International Airport. Morales Rojas entered the U.S. lawfully under a J-1 visa, which expired in January 2025; she had filed to remain legally but was nonetheless arrested. Her attorney challenged the detention, citing the lack of an individualized warrant and the ongoing legal process. She was later released on bond.
Other detainees include a Ugandan woman with sickle cell anemia and an active asylum claim, underscoring concerns about how the program affects vulnerable populations. Some legal experts warn that the arrests could disrupt individuals’ pending immigration cases and may deter others from traveling domestically due to fear of detention. Lawyers are reportedly advising clients to avoid air travel while their status is in flux, a marked change from previous guidance that possession of identification was sufficient for domestic flights.
DHS officials maintain that the enforcement actions are lawful and necessary to uphold immigration laws. They assert that individuals who have overstayed their visas are in violation of U.S. statutes and that the agency is committed to preventing illegal movement within the country. Critics argue that the policy may lead to unnecessary hardship, given the complexities of immigration proceedings and the potential for detaining individuals who have complied with legal processes.
Overall, the ramped-up airport enforcement reflects a broader administration effort to deter unauthorized presence in the United States by leveraging travel screening systems as a new venue for immigration enforcement. The approach has prompted ongoing legal challenges and debate about balancing security, immigration law enforcement, and the rights of foreign nationals with pending immigration claims.