Exclusive-ICE arrested more than 800 people after tips from US airport security agency

Key Points:

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested over 800 people based on tips from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security officials between the start of Donald Trump's presidency and February 2026, according to internal ICE data reviewed by Reuters.
• TSA provided ICE with records on more than 31,000 travelers through its Secure Flight Program, originally designed for counter-terrorism, not immigration enforcement, highlighting a shift toward routine immigration arrests under Trump's mass deportation efforts.
• The sharing of traveler information and subsequent arrests have sparked controversy, with Democrats opposing aggressive immigration tactics and the deployment of ICE officers to airports, citing concerns over fear and confusion among travelers.
• Several high-profile cases of ICE arrests at airports, including families and individuals with pending residency applications or final removal orders, have drawn criticism and raised questions about the impact on affected communities.
• The ongoing partisan dispute over funding for Homeland Security has complicated airport security operations, with TSA officers missing paychecks and ICE stepping in to assist, further intensifying political tensions around immigration enforcement.