Risch, Crapo, Rubio Introduce Bill to Prevent Illegal Immigrants from Using Arrest Warrants as TSA ID

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch (both R-Idaho) and Marco Rubio (R-Florida) introduced the Strengthening Enforcement to Curtail Unlawful, Risky Entrance to (SECURE) Flights Act, which would prevent the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) from allowing illegal aliens to use immigration enforcement documents, such as arrest warrants, as identification when boarding commercial flights.

“It is outrageous that the Transportation Security Administration allows illegal immigrants to use arrest warrants as a valid form of identification to board a plane,” said Crapo.  “Instead of working to address the record surge of illegal border crossings, the Biden Administration decided to further endanger the safety of Americans and undermine the integrity of our immigration laws.”

“If an Idahoan gets a speeding ticket, they can’t use the ticket to board a plane, so why does the president seem to think an illegal immigrant’s arrest warrant is a valid form of identification to board a plane?  This policy is yet another example of the Biden administration’s lax border policies that prioritize migrants over American citizens,” said Risch.  “The SECURE Flights Act would restore order and security by putting an end to the ridiculous policy of allowing arrest warrants to serve as identification for illegal immigrants.”

The Secure Flights Act would clarify that DHS-issued documents, such as arrest or deportation warrants, are not valid for commercial airline travel.  If a traveler presents one of those documents, the bill requires the TSA agent to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and local law enforcement to determine whether the individual is in violation of any terms or release.  If the individual is found to be in violation, he or she will not be allowed to fly, with an exception if the individual is traveling for purposes of self-deportation.

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