U.S. immigration authorities have begun arresting foreign nationals with expired visas at airports nationwide, signalling a broader enforcement push under the administration of former President Donald Trump.
According to a report by The New York Times, officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have detained travelers at check-in counters, boarding gates, and arrival terminals across at least 15 airports in recent weeks.
Those affected include spouses of U.S. citizens, skilled workers awaiting visa renewals, and former exchange visitors and migrants with pending immigration applications.
Previously, enforcement efforts at airports mainly targeted individuals with existing deportation orders. However, internal Department of Homeland Security documents indicate the scope has widened to include visa overstayers, even those awaiting decisions on legal status.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals overstay U.S. visas. Many remain in the country legally while their applications for extensions, asylum, or permanent residency are under review, often with valid work permits.
In the past, such individuals were rarely prioritized for arrest unless linked to criminal activity.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson defended the move, stating that the administration is committed to enforcing immigration laws and preventing undocumented individuals from travelling domestically.
While officials have not formally confirmed an expansion of the airport enforcement program, reports suggest increased pressure on ICE to boost daily arrests nationwide.
Immigration lawyers say the new approach has affected people from multiple countries, including individuals with pending asylum claims and marriage-based residency applications.
In one case, a 27-year-old Ecuadorian woman was detained while boarding a domestic flight despite having a pending application and work authorization. Another involved a Ugandan asylum seeker with a serious medical condition who was also taken into custody.
Immigration attorney Charles Kuck described the development as unprecedented, noting he had never seen similar enforcement practices in decades of legal work.
The policy shift marks a significant change in how immigration laws are applied, raising concerns among advocates about its impact on individuals navigating the legal immigration system.
