Official operatives: what kind of immigrants are stopped by ICE at U.S. airports.

An Argentine woman working as a nanny in the United States was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at an airport, according to reports. The incident highlights the growing presence of ICE in U.S. airports, where officials have intensified operations targeting undocumented immigrants with expired visas. In recent months, ICE has expanded its efforts in airports across the country, conducting multiple arrests. According to testimonies, agents focus on individuals whose visas have expired, regardless of whether they have pending immigration processes or work permits (EAD). These operations involve ICE agents dressed in civilian clothes who approach travelers at check-in counters and boarding gates. This strategy is part of a broader collaboration between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and ICE. The operations have affected many travelers with pending immigration cases. Simply presenting identification to undercover ICE agents at these checkpoints is often insufficient. Most of these checks target foreigners with expired visas, individuals who remain in the country after their authorized time under documentation has ended. This includes people with active immigration court cases. Legal experts consulted by Univision noted that even those who entered through the border, surrendered to authorities, or hold an EAD or asylum application in progress are still subject to deportation and can be arrested at airport terminals. According to statements made to The New York Times, representatives from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) emphasized that this administration is working diligently to ensure that undocumented immigrants can no longer fly unless they are voluntarily being deported. Legal experts spoke to The New York Times about the diverse profiles of those detained by ICE during these operations. Among them were individuals with legitimate migration requests, including an engineer waiting for the renewal of his work visa, several newlyweds married to U.S. citizens, and a former Ecuadorian au pair named Chantal Morales Rojas, who had a pending request and a work authorization from the DHS. According to testimony, Morales Rojas was detained on July 20 while boarding a Southwest Airlines flight from Denver to Oakland. When her boarding pass was scanned, an alarm went off, and the gate staff asked her to wait. Moments later, two agents in civilian clothing intercepted her on the boarding bridge. Alicia Dantzker, a friend of the family traveling on the same flight, recorded part of the incident and stated that the agents claimed they would be respectful and courteous. ICE uses information provided by the TSA to identify and locate individuals within airports. Legal advisors also reported the arrest of an Ugandan immigrant in a wheelchair who had an active asylum application, and the detention of an Australian citizen who had overstayed his visa at the Las Vegas airport. Although the agents initially let the Australian go to calm the situation and for his safety, he was arrested by ICE the following day when attempting to board a flight in Los Angeles. In July, the agency responsible for conducting these immigration checks reached a record high of 46,000 arrests, which included those made at airports. Legal experts have advised migrants at U.S. airports to be cautious and aware of their status, emphasizing that having valid documentation does not always guarantee protection from arrest. They recommend seeking legal counsel promptly and understanding the specific conditions of their immigration status to avoid complications.