Overview
- A memorandum of agreement made public by watchdog American Oversight formalizes how TSA will share and store passenger data with ICE under the Secure Flight Final Rule.
- Reporting shows at least 27 detentions at U.S. airports in operations that use name matches to identify travelers after they pass through TSA screening.
- Local airport officials say plainclothes federal agents have intercepted people at check-in counters and gates without routine coordination with local police.
- Immigration lawyers say some people detained had no criminal records and held valid work authorization, parole documents, or pending immigration cases, prompting travel warnings.
- The Department of Homeland Security defends the policy as restoring enforcement of immigration laws while advocates and lawmakers plan legal challenges and oversight inquiries that could change airport practices.