Washington DC: In a significant escalation of immigration enforcement under Donald Trump, more than 800 individuals have been arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement based on intelligence shared by airport security authorities, according to internal data reviewed by Reuters.
The data reveals that the Transportation Security Administration provided ICE with records of over 31,000 travellers through its Secure Flight Program, originally designed as a counter-terrorism initiative. The information was used to identify individuals for possible immigration enforcement, marking a shift in the program’s intended purpose.
Both ICE and TSA operate under the US Department of Homeland Security, which has historically coordinated on national security threats. However, the agencies began focusing more heavily on routine immigration arrests last year as part of the Trump administration’s broader mass deportation strategy.
While the exact number of arrests made within airport premises remains unclear, officials indicated that TSA-provided data was primarily used to track travel timings, enabling authorities to intercept individuals during transit.
The development comes amid a political standoff in the United States over immigration enforcement funding. Since mid-February, Democrats have withheld support for additional funding tied to stricter immigration measures unless reforms are introduced. The impasse disrupted the passage of a key DHS funding bill, leading to missed paychecks for TSA personnel.
Amid staffing challenges, the Trump administration deployed ICE officers to more than a dozen airports in March to support security operations. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who argue that the presence of immigration officers in airports could create fear and confusion among travellers.
Several controversial cases have intensified the backlash. In one instance, a college student traveling domestically was detained while en route to celebrate Thanksgiving. In another, a mother was arrested at San Francisco International Airport shortly before ICE deployments began.
Immigration attorneys have also highlighted cases involving long-term residents. One such case involved an Irish couple, living in the U.S. for over two decades, who were detained at an airport and later deported, leaving their children behind. Another case involved a Chinese woman seeking permanent residency who was arrested during transit at an airport.
The Department of Homeland Security has defended these actions, stating that the individuals detained were subject to final removal orders. However, critics argue that using aviation security systems for immigration enforcement raises serious concerns about civil liberties and the misuse of counter-terrorism infrastructure.
