Immigration attorneys across the country are reporting a concerning trend: ICE has reportedly detained certain noncitizens while they traveling on domestic flights at U.S. airports. Recent reports have come from multiple airports, including Newark (EWR) and San Francisco (SFO), among others.
According to these reports, individuals detained have included people with pending asylum applications and individuals with pending adjustment of status applications whose underlying nonimmigrant status had expired. These reports generally involve individuals without criminal histories. While the government has not formally announced a policy change, practitioners believe recent information-sharing between TSA and ICE may be contributing to these encounters.
Individuals with pending immigration applications without an underlying valid nonimmigrant status should speak with an immigration attorney before traveling by air within the United States. Individuals who are maintaining valid nonimmigrant status are not believed to be the primary group affected by these reported incidents at this time.
Our firm is monitoring this developing situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended as legal advice in any specific case. The facts of a specific case may render the information inapplicable.
Claire Pratt © Jewell Stewart Pratt Beckerson & Carr PC 2026
