Up to 40 Migrants Detained Daily at U.S. Airports

Immigration authorities have intensified operations at United States airports. Up to 40 immigrants are being detained daily on domestic flights. This figure represents a drastic increase compared to the average of 10 arrests recorded in May 2025.

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is concentrating its efforts on at least 15 airports across the country. Agents are reviewing and detaining travelers from more than a dozen nationalities. Among those arrested are technology workers and spouses of U.S. citizens with expired visas.

Additionally, the increase is a result of a cooperation agreement between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and ICE itself. The new government strategy poses immediate risks for hundreds of thousands of migrants. Human rights organizations recommend seeking legal advice before planning a domestic flight.

What Impact Does the End of TPS Have for Venezuelans?

One of the communities most affected by these detentions is the Venezuelan community. On November 7, 2025, the validity of TPS for the 2021 designation ended. The next day, 260,000 migrants lost their legal protection.

Another 350,000 Venezuelans will lose their status in October 2026. Fernando Romo, an immigration attorney at ASOSAL, warned that the end of this program automatically activates deportation orders. “TPS halts deportation orders, but upon losing protection, this order is activated and they will surely be sought,” he explained.

@univision23miaICE agents detained Claudia Rodríguez, 28 years old, when she was in the boarding area at Fort Lauderdale airport. The young woman’s relatives say she had a pending asylum case and also TPS.♬ original sound – Univision 23 Miami

A representative case is that of Claudia Carolina Rodríguez Caglianone, a former university soccer captain in Miami. The young Venezuelan woman was detained at Fort Lauderdale airport while traveling to North Carolina. Despite having an active asylum application, she was placed in immigration custody.

Where Are the Most Immigrant Detentions Being Reported?

The Coalition for the Human Rights of Immigrants Los Angeles (CHIRLA) documented arrests in multiple states. Operations are affecting airports in California, Nevada, Colorado, Massachusetts, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, and Virginia.

Yunuen Trujillo, director of legal services at CHIRLA, warned about the risks of flying. “In recent weeks, CHIRLA has received reports from community members indicating an increase in detentions,” she noted. Arrests are occurring even when travelers pass TSA checkpoints.

@nmasunivision A new immigration tactic may be expanding the number of people exposed to detention at U.S. airports. More than two dozen arrests have recently been recorded at least 15 airports. Among groups at risk are asylum seekers, people with expired visas, DACA beneficiaries, and those awaiting resolution on family petitions, work petitions, or status adjustment requests. Currently, USCIS has accumulated more than 8.5 million pending applications in these categories. Immigration attorneys warn that air travel could pose a detention risk, even when