U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more than 800 people based on tips shared by federal airport security officials from the start of Donald Trump’s presidency through February 2026, according to internal data reviewed by Reuters—far higher than previously disclosed.
The leads were provided by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which shared records on more than 31,000 travelers for potential immigration enforcement. While it remains unclear how many arrests occurred inside airports, the data suggests the information was primarily used to track when individuals would be traveling.
Both ICE and TSA operate under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Historically, the agencies collaborated on national security threats, but their focus expanded last year to include routine immigration enforcement as part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation push.
The traveler data came from TSA’s Secure Flight Program, launched in 2007 as a counterterrorism initiative to screen passengers against government watchlists. Regulations indicate the program was not originally intended for immigration enforcement purposes.
The Department of Homeland Security did not directly address questions about the data-sharing practice but said TSA under Trump is pursuing measures to improve overall system security and efficiency.
The issue has fueled political tensions in Washington. Since mid-February, Democrats have opposed additional funding for immigration enforcement without reforms to curb aggressive tactics, leading to a standoff that delayed a key DHS funding bill. As a result, TSA officers reportedly missed multiple paychecks, prompting staffing shortages.
In response, the Trump administration deployed ICE officers to more than a dozen airports in March to assist with security operations—a move criticized by Democrats, who warn it could create fear and confusion among travelers.
Reports of unexpected arrests at airports have further intensified the controversy. In recent months, ICE detained a college student traveling from Boston to Texas and arrested a mother at San Francisco International Airport. Authorities said both cases involved individuals with final removal orders.
Immigration attorneys also described additional incidents, including the detention and deportation of an Irish couple living in the U.S. for over two decades, who were arrested in front of their children at an airport. In another case, a Chinese woman seeking permanent residency was detained while traveling through Atlanta.
The growing use of airport data for immigration enforcement continues to raise concerns over privacy, due process, and the original intent of aviation security programs.