Tampa International Airport Lacks Details on ICE Operations...

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — In response to staffing challenges faced by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), President Donald Trump has dispatched Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to assist at various airports starting Monday. This move has sparked discussions about the potential for increased immigration-related arrests in Florida.

As of Monday, Tampa International Airport officials reported no confirmed presence of ICE agents at the airport. However, immigration lawyers are advising clients to be cautious, warning that circumstances could change and traveling near airports might carry additional risks.

Sheriff Grady Judd has extended a unique offer to unpaid TSA agents, proposing employment opportunities to ensure they “won’t miss a paycheck.”

Passengers arriving at Tampa International Airport on Monday experienced varying wait times at TSA checkpoints.

“It was practically non-existent. Honestly, just five minutes. In Chicago, I breezed right through,” shared traveler Cynthia Greco.

It comes as new data released to the New York Times found Florida leads the nation in ICE arrests. The Miami field office of U.S. Immigration and Customs covers all of Florida, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. They’re credited for about 120 arrests a day, totaling about 9,880 arrests this year, and 31,340 last year. Immigration attorneys said these numbers can grow if agents do more than help TSA at airports.

“A lot of people that would normally travel now are not going to want to travel. It’s also just going to create an environment, I think, of fear of going to the airports now,” said Hector Diaz, an immigration attorney.

Just last week, all law enforcement leaders on the State Immigration Enforcement council agreed to wanting a path forward for the large number of immigrants who are detained and accused of immigration violations but no other crimes.

“What’s right is right, and what’s not, is not. And everything you described is what’s not right,” said Sheriff Bob Gualtieri with Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s too wide a net, and we’re hurting people who are not the target of the entire operation concept,” said Chief Ciro Dominguez with Naples Police Department.

This traveler said she doesn’t want to see it at any airports.

“No, I don’t think we need armed people at the TSA gates. And ICE in Chicago, they’ve been running rampant. And it’s just not, you don’t feel safe,” Greco said.

TPA’s communication director said an update would be sent out if ICE agents are deployed to the airport.

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Tampa International Airport Lacks Details on ICE Operations: Uncertainty Surrounds Enforcement Activities

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