News that ICE agents are now operating at 14 major U.S. airports has made many immigrants, DACA recipients, and advance parole travelers deeply anxious about upcoming trips. Instead of simply worrying, it is important to understand the risks, know your rights, and have a clear plan before you head to the airport.
At Francis Law Center, our immigration attorneys work with families who are traveling with pending cases, advance parole, or other sensitive immigration situations. Recent reports have already documented ICE agents past security checkpoints, which means some travelers may face additional questioning or even detention. Careful preparation can make a critical difference in how you respond if approached.
Why ICE Is at Major Airports
According to government statements, ICE officers have been deployed to 14 major airports, including Chicago, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, and others, to assist with security and help manage TSA lines. In practice, however, videos and reports have already surfaced of plainclothes agents making arrests inside secure areas of airports.
For people with pending family-based petitions, asylum applications, prior immigration issues, or those traveling on advance parole, this increased ICE presence means the airport is now a higher-risk environment.
Even if your travel is lawful, additional scrutiny can lead to questioning, delays, or more serious consequences if there are unresolved issues in your record.
Who Is Most at Risk
Not everyone going through the airport will be stopped, but certain travelers face heightened risk, including:
- Individuals traveling on advance parole for DACA, TPS, or other humanitarian reasons.
- People with pending family-based or marriage-based immigrant petitions who are not yet permanent residents.
- Applicants with asylum cases still pending or recently filed.
- Anyone with past immigration violations, prior removal orders, or criminal history.
If you fall into one of these categories, you should treat any upcoming air travel as a serious legal decision, not just a routine trip. Speaking with an immigration attorney before you travel can help you understand your specific risks and whether it is wise to move forward with your plans.
Your Rights If ICE Approaches You
Even in an airport, you still have constitutional rights. If ICE or another enforcement officer stops you for questioning, it is important to stay calm and remember the following:
- You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or how you entered the United States.
- You have the right to ask for an attorney. If you are detained or taken to a secondary area, clearly say that you want to speak with a lawyer before signing or agreeing to anything.
- You do not have to sign documents you do not understand. Never sign a form you cannot read, or that has not been reviewed by an attorney, especially if it is in English only.
If officers pressure you to sign something, politely but firmly repeat that you want to talk to an attorney first. A rushed signature at the airport can sometimes result in giving up important rights or agreeing to removal without realizing it.
Extra Steps Before You Travel
If you have upcoming travel plans, particularly on advance parole, consider taking these precautions before you go to the airport:
- Schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney to review your history, pending applications, and potential risks of departure and reentry.
- Carry copies of key immigration documents, such as your advance parole approval, pending receipt notices, and any court records that show cases were dismissed or resolved.
- Share your travel plans, flight details, and attorney contact information with a trusted family member or friend who can act quickly if you are detained.
Being prepared does not guarantee a problem-free trip, but it can help you respond calmly and informatively if questioned and allow your attorney or loved ones to advocate for you if something goes wrong.
Traveling Safely with Help from Francis Law Center
Travel during a time of increased ICE presence at major airports is stressful, but you do not have to face the uncertainty alone. Understanding your rights, evaluating your personal risk, and preparing a clear plan are some of the most powerful steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.
At Francis Law Center, founding attorney Dr. Jae Francis Lee and our immigration team advise clients nationwide on advance parole travel, pending immigration cases, and how to respond if stopped by ICE. With offices in Chicago, Schaumburg, IL, and Madison, WI, and representation available across the United States, we help immigrants make informed decisions about whether and how to travel in today’s enforcement climate.
If you have questions about upcoming flights or airport risks, contact our immigration attorneys to discuss your situation and the safest path forward.
