ICE Expands Operations to Target Visa Overstays at Airports

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have increased enforcement operations at airports nationwide to apprehend individuals who have overstayed their visas, as reported by The New York Times. ICE officers have been observed making arrests at check-in counters and boarding gates in 15 airports across the country. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that the administration aims to ensure that individuals in the country illegally cannot fly domestically unless they are departing the country. This operation builds on a partnership between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and ICE that began in May 2025, targeting individuals with outstanding deportation orders. Recent arrests at airports have gained attention on social media, including the arrest of Chantal Alejandra Morales Rojas on July 20 while attempting to board a flight from Denver to Oakland. ICE reported that Morales Rojas entered the U.S. in October 2024, with her visa expiring in January 2025. Despite having a pending asylum application and a valid work permit, ICE clarified that these factors do not prevent arrest. An immigration judge has since granted her bond. Immigration lawyers are advising clients with pending applications to avoid travel due to the increased enforcement.