ICE operations at airports: What documents immigrants should have on hand and what agents can request

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are increasingly present in airports, conducting operations to verify the immigration status of travelers, even on domestic flights. While traveling within the United States doesn't typically involve border checks, airports have become sites where ICE officers can scrutinize identities and immigration records.

According to official documents obtained by ABC News, these operations have led to at least 27 detentions, though the timeframe for these arrests is not specified. ICE officers are authorized to check identification at security checkpoints, using a "name-matching" system to flag individuals with expired visas or final deportation orders. Immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi explained to ABC News that ICE has always had the authority to arrest individuals with final deportation orders or expired immigration status. She noted that airports provide a venue to reach a larger number of foreigners, effectively turning routine air travel into an audit of the legal status of visa holders and green card applicants.

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The ICE has always had the faculty to arrest someone with a final deportation order or an expired migratory status.

For immigrants, carrying documentation that substantiates their migratory status, beyond the identification required for travel, is becoming increasingly relevant. Documents such as a valid employment authorization or a pending residency application might be presented. However, Berardi cautioned that possessing such documents does not guarantee a smooth encounter with ICE, as individuals in these situations often exist in a legal "gray area" without the same protections as those with fully approved applications.

The cooperation between ICE and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed in May 2025. This agreement establishes a system for information exchange, leveraging the "Secure Flight" system, which manages passenger and flight data. This allows ICE to identify individuals of interest by cross-referencing flight information with their databases. Reports indicate a rise in detentions resulting from these airport-based enforcement actions.

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Now routine air travel has become an audit of the legal status of millions of foreigners holding visas and green card applicants.