A new ICE tactic targets visa overstay cases at airports, using checkpoints, gates, and counters to detain travelers and ramp up deportations.

One detainee, Iliana Noeli Lick, was stopped at Philadelphia International Airport on July 11 after arriving on a visa and applying for status, and she is among at least seven people arrested there since mid-July.

The reporting situates the developments in a broader political context, referencing the Biden administration and Trump-era stance on immigration enforcement.

Immigrant-led organizations warn that pending applications or relief do not guarantee safety from detention, noting increased detentions and stress for families.

Philly’s airport is among at least 15 U.S. gateways seeing upticks in ICE arrests, signaling a nationwide enforcement pattern according to advocates and The New York Times.

Officials from city and DHS have offered limited comment; DHS framed enforcement as a response to past policies and stressed continued removals.

Advocates highlight gender disparities and logistical challenges for families, reporting several detained women are being moved farther from home due to limited women’s holding space.

A data-sharing agreement between agencies aims to enhance security and border management, limited to interagency exchange of information.

DHS and ICE emphasize due process, noting individuals are held in removal proceedings, with arrests sometimes occurring despite crowds or deterrents.

Advocates advise travelers to stay silent if confronted by ICE or police, avoid signing documents, document interactions when safe, and keep emergency contacts and immigration paperwork accessible.

Firsthand accounts from attorneys and a detainee underscore the human impact of the policy shift, including pending asylum claims and potential third-country removals.

Some detainees have no criminal records but hold valid work authorizations or parole documents, raising concerns about travel risk for lawful visa holders.