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The administration announced a new agreement between the TSA and ICE to arrest illegal immigrants at airports

The administration announced a new agreement between the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to share passenger data for immigration enforcement. Under this arrangement, plain-clothes ICE agents are increasingly targeting foreign travelers who have overstayed U.S. visas at check-in counters and arrival gates across at least 15 airports. This strategy aims to support the administration's goal of reaching 3,000 daily immigration arrests. Immigration attorneys note that the crackdown includes individuals with valid work permits and no criminal records, such as those currently in the asylum process. While the TSA provides data to ICE, privacy advocates express concern over how personal information is being stored and safeguarded. The administration defended the move, stating it corrects a previous policy where illegal immigrants were allowed to fly without self-deporting. Recent high-profile arrests, including those of Phu Nguyen, have highlighted the shift toward using airports as visible enforcement zones. The administration maintains that this expansion is essential for identifying violent criminals and keeping the country safe.

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