Detention of foreign nationals engaged in domestic air travel

As of late July 2026, there have been numerous reports of foreign nationals engaged in wholly domestic travel being detained by ICE based on information from TSA.  Foreign nationals who do not physically possess a valid, unexpired I-94 admission record may be at higher risk.

Reports of detentions have been received from the following airports:

·       Texas: Austin and Houston, TX

·       Maryland: Baltimore, MD

·       Massachusetts: Boston, MA

·       Illinois: Chicago, IL

·       Colorado: Denver, CO

·       Michigan: Detroit, MI

·       Florida: Fort Lauderdale and Miami, FL

·       Missouri: Kansas City, MO

·       Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, PA

·       California: San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA

Included among those detained were asylum applicants, DACA and TPS recipients, and I-485 adjustment applicants whose I-94 admission record or Form DS-2019 had expired.

Typically, detentions are conducted by plain clothes officers in the secure area, though in some cases individuals are detained at the boarding gate. The basis for detention is unclear in some cases.

As outlined in our registration page, the "alien” registration requirement (and the requirement to carry evidence of registration) has been in place since April 2025. USCIS finalized the alien registration rule in June 2026.