ICE detentions surge at U.S. airports amid new immigration enforcement

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) issued a rare travel advisory after a wave of immigration‑related detentions at major U.S. airports, including Los Angeles International (LAX) and San Francisco International (SFO). Reports indicate similar arrests at airports in Nevada, Colorado, Massachusetts, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia. Detainees have included visa overstayers, individuals with pending green‑card or asylum applications, and others with authorized stays, even when they have no criminal history or removal orders.

Privacy and data‑security expert Edward Hasbrouck warned that the sharing of passenger information between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is driving these arrests. He suggested airports could post warnings and examine contracts to limit warrant‑less federal access. Recent cases, such as the arrest of a Ukrainian woman without a deportation order, illustrate the new risk. At least 11 Bay Area residents have been arrested in the past three weeks. CHIRLA advises immigrants to evaluate the necessity of domestic travel, consult an attorney, and consider postponing nonessential trips.