Learn what's happening with ICE at US airports, who might face immigration issues, and what to consider before you travel.
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US airports have once again become the focus of the immigration conversation following several recent cases of detentions carried out by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
One of the most recent cases is that of Oswaldo Pirela, minor league catcher coordinator for the San Diego Padres, a professional baseball organization in the United States. Pirela was detained by ICE on August 16, 2026, at El Paso International Airport in Texas, as he was preparing to return to Arizona after a business trip. His detention was publicly reported on August 18.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Pirela entered the United States legally in 2014, but his authorized period of stay expired in 2018. His family, however, maintains that he had a pending asylum application and employment authorization. Pirela remains in ICE custody while his immigration proceedings continue.
The case has raised questions among travelers: Can ICE detain a person at an airport even if they are boarding a domestic flight? Does having a visa or work permit automatically protect against detention?
The answer requires context. Recent cases show increased immigration enforcement activity at some airports, but they do not allow us to conclude that ICE is conducting indiscriminate arrests at all airports in the country.
The El Paso case is not the only one that has been reported in recent months.
In late July, for example, ICE detained Fatima Ameaka, a researcher at Johns Hopkins, as she was preparing to board a domestic flight at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI). DHS claimed she had overstayed her visa. Her lawyer, however, pointed out that she had employment authorization and questioned aspects of the information used to justify the detention. Ameaka was later released.
Cases have also been reported at other airports. Iliana Lick, an Argentinian citizen, was detained in July at Philadelphia International Airport while on her way to catch a flight. Her lawyer and family stated that she had a pending asylum application and work authorization; she was later released.
In Maine, Debora Kapisha, a Zambian nurse, was detained by ICE while traveling through Boston's Logan Airport and later released. According to representatives for the nurse, she had a pending asylum application and work authorization.
These cases, along with others reported, show that immigration actions at airports have increased and that some people are being detained while making domestic trips.
Yeah.
ICE, through its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division, has among its functions the identification, arrest, detention and management of the removal of people who are subject to the immigration laws of the United States.
Therefore, being inside an airport does not automatically mean that a person is beyond the reach of immigration authorities.
A detention may be related to circumstances such as a removal order, overstaying the authorized period, or other situations that may trigger an immigration procedure.
However, having a certain immigration status does not automatically mean a person will be detained. Each case depends on specific factors, including immigration history and existing records.
Furthermore, immigration detention does not necessarily equate to immediate deportation. The individual may continue with immigration proceedings and have access to the relevant mechanisms within that process.
There is no category of people who can automatically be considered “at risk of detention.” However, some situations warrant a careful review of immigration status before traveling.
These may include:
Recent cases also show that a pending application or employment authorization does not necessarily equate to valid immigration status. This distinction appears in several of the cases reported during 2026.
This does not mean that a person with a pending application will be detained. It means that immigration documents serve different purposes and must be analyzed within the full context of the case.
The recommendation is not to travel in fear, but to travel informed.
If you have had a prolonged stay, a change of status, a pending application, an immigration order, or any other particular circumstance, review your situation before traveling.
Depending on the case, the relevant documents may include a passport, visa, Green Card, travel permit, documentation of an immigration process, or other documents.
If it applies to your immigration category, check your I-94 record to verify your admission information and authorized period of stay.
The fact that an application has been filed with USCIS does not automatically mean that the person has all the protections or immigration effects they need to travel.
It is not advisable to deliberately conceal information, submit false documents, or make false statements to the authorities.
If you have a deportation order, an expired stay, a criminal record, a pending immigration process, or doubts about your status, consider consulting with an immigration attorney or qualified professional before traveling.
No.
Recent cases do demonstrate that ICE can make arrests at airports and that these can occur during domestic travel. But it would be incorrect to conclude that all passengers are being monitored or that ICE is indiscriminately detaining travelers.
The available information points to cases linked to specific immigration circumstances. Therefore, the main recommendation for someone with a complex immigration situation is to review their case file before traveling.
If you have questions about your immigration status before traveling to the United States, AsisVisa can help you identify the aspects you should consider and guide you on when it may be advisable to seek specialized legal advice.
Traveling informed will always be a better strategy than waiting to resolve an immigration question at the airport.
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