US begins arresting foreigners with expired visas at airports

The United States has initiated a new phase of its immigration enforcement by arresting foreign nationals with expired visas at airports nationwide. This move, reported by The New York Times, significantly broadens the scope of the Trump administration's campaign.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are now detaining travelers at check-in counters, boarding gates, and arrival terminals in at least 15 airports. The report indicates that those targeted include spouses of U.S. citizens, skilled workers awaiting visa extensions, former exchange visitors, and individuals with pending immigration applications. Previously, this program primarily focused on those with outstanding deportation orders.

Internal Department of Homeland Security documents reveal that the enforcement now extends to individuals whose visas have expired, even if they have pending applications to remain in the country. This comes as the White House reportedly pressures ICE to increase immigration arrests, with a daily target of approximately 2,000 arrests. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson defended the policy, stating the administration is committed to enforcing immigration laws, though the department did not officially confirm the expansion of the airport program.

Immigration lawyers have noted that this new strategy affects clients from numerous countries, including those with pending asylum claims, work visa renewals, and permanent residency applications. One reported case involved Chantal Morales Rojas, a 27-year-old Ecuadorian former au pair, who was detained while boarding a domestic flight despite having a pending immigration application and work authorization.

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This administration is working diligently to ensure that aliens in our country illegally can no longer fly unless it is out of our country to self-deport.