ICE Is Arresting 20 to 40 Migrants a Day at U.S. Airports, Report Claims

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 28: An ICE agent (L) checks travelers' identifications at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on March 28, 2026 in Houston, Texas. After House Republicans rejected a Senate-passed deal to fund Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subagencies including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), President Trump issued an executive order on Friday instructing DHS to immediately pay TSA agents who have been working without pay for over 40 days. (Credit: Photo by Danielle Villasana/Getty Images)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is now arresting between 20 and 40 migrants a day at U.S. airports, according to a senior Department of Homeland Security official cited by NBC News, marking a sharp increase from roughly 10 daily airport arrests when the tactic began in May of last year.

The expanded enforcement has drawn attention after videos showed plainclothes ICE agents detaining passengers at boarding gates, airport corridors and even aboard aircraft.