As families across the United States begin planning trips for spring break and summer, many immigrant households are facing a question that feels heavier this year: is it still safe to fly?

For undocumented immigrants, what once felt like a routine domestic flight is now a decision that requires careful thought, planning, and in some cases, difficult trade-offs.

Advocates, legal service providers, and civil rights organizations are warning that recent shifts in immigration enforcement, along with increased coordination between federal agencies, are creating new risks at airports across the country.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), in its most recent airport guidance, advises caution. The organization states that “noncitizens who do not currently have legal status should consider the risks of flying,” even on domestic flights within the United States.

For many families in our community, that warning is not abstract. It is shaping real decisions about whether to travel at all.

A Changing Risk at U.S. Airports

What has changed is not the law itself, but how enforcement is happening in practice.

In March 2026, a case at San Francisco International Airport brought national attention to these concerns. A mother and her nine-year-old daughter were detained after Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers shared information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

According to reporting by The Guardian, TSA alerted ICE, leading directly to the arrest.

For many advocates, this case confirmed something about which they had been warning, namely, that routine travel interactions can quickly become immigration enforcement situations.

The ACLU has also pointed to broader trends. In its guidance, the organization notes that “recent reporting suggests increased risks,” including concerns that information collected during the travel process may be shared with immigration authorities.

At the same time, enforcement presence is becoming more visible.

Reports cited by the New York Post describe ICE officers being assigned to assist operations at major airports, including LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International Airport.

While these roles may be described as administrative or support functions, advocates emphasize that ICE officers still have full enforcement authority. That means they can question individuals and make arrests in public areas of the airport.

Here in Connecticut, concerns about enforcement in public spaces are also growing.

Speaking to News 12, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said, “People should not be afraid of their government.”

Even though there have not been confirmed reports of airport arrests in Connecticut, immigrant families are paying close attention to what is happening nationally. For many, the concern is not just about what has already happened, but what could happen.

The National Immigration Law Center (NILC) has issued alerts warning that arrests at airports can occur in several ways. These include referrals from TSA, encounters in terminals or waiting areas, and situations in which a person’s information appears in government databases.

Their message is clear: past travel without problems does not guarantee safety today.

What Happens During Airport Encounters

Part of what makes this issue so confusing is that airports are not controlled by a single agency.

Most travelers expect to interact only with TSA. But in reality, airports can involve multiple federal agencies, including Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Homeland Security Investigations, a division of ICE.

Encounters are not limited to security checkpoints.

Advocates warn that immigration enforcement can happen at gates, in waiting areas, or even after a traveler has already gone through screening.

According to ACLU guidance, officers have broad authority in these environments. They may stop individuals, ask questions, and search belongings, sometimes without a warrant. This can include luggage and electronic devices.

For undocumented immigrants, these interactions carry higher stakes.

A simple question can quickly turn into questions about identity and immigration status. The ACLU explains that officers may ask about a person’s status in certain circumstances.

That creates a difficult situation.

Answering could reveal a person’s status. Choosing not to answer may lead to delays, additional questioning, or increased scrutiny.

There is also a growing concern around digital privacy.

Travelers may be asked to unlock their phones or provide passwords for electronic devices. According to the National Immigration Law Center, personal data stored on those devices, including messages, contacts, and social media activity, may be reviewed.

For many in our community, that adds another layer of stress. It is no longer just about the trip itself, but about everything a person is carrying with them, both physically and digitally.

These overlapping risks mean that a single encounter at the airport can quickly become complex and unpredictable.

How Families Can Prepare and Reduce Risk

Despite these concerns, advocates are not saying that people cannot travel. But they are urging families to be informed and prepared.

The ACLU recommends that travelers carry the contact information of a trusted attorney and clearly ask for legal help if they believe their rights are being violated. If a person is told they are under arrest or being detained, they have the right to request a lawyer before answering questions.

The National Immigration Law Center also outlines practical steps to reduce risk. These include staying calm during any interaction, not presenting false documents, and asking officers if you are free to leave.

Families are also encouraged to think ahead.

This may include creating an emergency plan, especially when children are involved. Identifying a trusted person who can step in if a parent is detained can make a critical difference in a moment of crisis.

Advocates also emphasize that everyone in the United States has constitutional protections, including the right to remain silent. At the same time, they are clear about an important reality that many immigrant families already understand.

Having rights does not always eliminate risk.

For many families, travel is necessary. It may be related to work, medical care, or urgent family situations. But in today’s environment, even domestic travel decisions are being made more carefully than before.

Undocumented immigrants are not prohibited from flying within the United States. However, current enforcement patterns mean that each trip carries real and evolving risks.

For our community, responding to this risk is no longer just about travel.

It is about safety, preparation, and making informed decisions that protect our families.

As travel season approaches, advocates continue to emphasize a simple but urgent message: know the risks, plan ahead, and do not assume that past experiences will be the same today.

Sources:

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), “Know Your Rights: Enforcement at Airports”

National Immigration Law Center (NILC), Community Alert on Immigration Arrests at Airports

The Guardian, reporting on San Francisco airport arrest (March 2026)

New York Post, reporting on ICE presence at LaGuardia and JFK (March 2026)

News 12 Connecticut, reporting on statements by Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (2026)