Former ICE director gives 3 reasons for US airports arrests - Businessday NG

…includes target of 2000 arrests daily

John Sandweg, former acting director of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has shed light on why federal agents are increasingly turning domestic airports into operational zones for arrests of undocumented immigrants and those with expired visas.

According to Sandweg, airport terminals offer a controlled, low-risk environment where agents know no one is armed, allowing for swift apprehensions with minimal tactical friction. Combined with advance passenger manifests shared by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), ICE agents can pinpoint targets, particularly individuals traveling domestically on expired visas before they even board an aircraft.

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“It makes for an easy immigration arrest for ICE,” Sandweg explained. “You can now take custody of that person in a secure environment. They come to you. You know exactly when and where they’re going to be. And because you’re getting them in a secure environment, you need fewer agents.”