Federal immigration agents have stepped up enforcement at major California airports, including Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport, targeting passengers on domestic flights. According to immigration rights group CHIRLA, 10 people were arrested at California airports in the past week alone.[11]
The enforcement is not limited to international arrival areas. Videos posted on social media show plainclothes agents detaining travelers near boarding gates, including at domestic departure areas.[11]
CHIRLA attorney Matthew Toyama said even people with valid work authorization, green cards or pending asylum applications can face unexpected questioning, detention or arrest. CHIRLA and the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium, or NAKASEC, have issued a travel advisory urging people planning domestic travel to consult an immigration lawyer first.[11]
The advisory says that travelers relying on work authorization or those with pending asylum cases are not exempt. As airport enforcement extends into domestic-flight areas, legal review of immigration status before flying has become increasingly important.[11]
