The U.S. government has launched an unprecedented surveillance network targeting undocumented immigrants. Internal documents reveal that two key federal agencies—the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)—are providing personal data directly to ICE to bolster a massive deportation strategy.
Traveler Data Sharing: TSA's Role in Immigrant Tracking
Under the federal regulations of the Secure Flight program, airlines are required to collect full names, birth dates, and other sensitive data from every passenger. This information is sent to the TSA and automatically cross-referenced with watchlists maintained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The privacy notices of the program specify that such information can be shared with other security agencies when DHS rules permit. Until recently, the extent of this data exchange was not widely known.
Secret Program: TSA Sends Passenger Lists to ICE
Documents cited by The New York Times reveal that since March, the TSA has been sending comprehensive lists of all travelers passing through U.S. airports to ICE multiple times a week. The aim is to match these lists against the database of individuals with final deportation orders.
The DHS has acknowledged that this practice is an "extension" of previous agreements, underscoring the political goal of preventing undocumented immigrants from domestic air travel, except for "self-deportation."
IRS and ICE: Sharing Tax Data to Expedite Deportations
On April 7, 2025, the IRS signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ICE, allowing immigration authorities to request names, addresses, and certain tax data of individuals with removal orders or under investigation for immigration violations.
Experts argue that this agreement breaches the historic confidentiality of tax records in the United States. Moreover, parts of the document remain redacted, leaving the full scope of information flow to ICE unknown.
Connecting Databases to Track Migrants
The Secure Flight program documents describe a database designed for automatic integration with other DHS systems. This allows the TSA and ICE to merge updated traveler lists, deportation databases, and now addresses and tax records obtained through the IRS agreement.
The result is a highly accurate tracking system that generates detention leads at airports and provides ICE with an almost complete map of the movements and domiciles of immigrants with deportation orders.
It's challenging to completely avoid this tracking if you purchase a ticket, but there are ways to mitigate the risks and better prepare.
Risks of Flying for Undocumented Immigrants
TSA regularly shares traveler names and data with ICE, which has already led to airport detentions of individuals with deportation orders or old immigration cases.
The government's stated goal is for those without legal status to only use planes to leave the country, turning the system into a mechanism of pressure and intimidation.
Minimizing Risks Before Traveling
Before flying, consult with a lawyer or support organization to determine if you have a final deportation order, open cases, or records that put you at risk. Prepare an emergency plan, including contacts, basic documents, and instructions for your family in case of detention.
If you choose to fly, use a TSA-accepted document consistent with your ticket. However, be aware that presenting a foreign passport or other ID may confirm your non-citizen status without preventing data sharing with ICE.
Alternatives and Knowing Your Rights
Whenever possible, communities recommend opting for ground transportation for domestic trips and avoiding areas close to the border and states that heavily cooperate with ICE, where checkpoints are more frequent.
At domestic airports, if approached by ICE or police, you retain basic rights: you can remain silent, request a lawyer, and refrain from signing documents without legal advice. Various organizations offer "Know Your Rights" guides tailored for such situations.
FAQ on Immigrant Surveillance in the U.S.
How is TSA involved in immigrant tracking?
TSA collects sensitive traveler data under the Secure Flight program and shares it with ICE to identify individuals with deportation orders.
What is the impact of the IRS agreement with ICE?
The IRS agreement allows ICE to access tax data of individuals with deportation orders, raising concerns about the breach of tax confidentiality.
What rights do immigrants have if approached by ICE at airports?
Immigrants can stay silent, request legal representation, and avoid signing documents without advice at airports.