Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., has introduced legislation aimed at preventing federal immigration officials from accessing passenger data collected by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for immigration enforcement purposes. The bill, titled the No TSA Data for ICE Act, would restrict the ability of ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents to arrest noncitizens at U.S. airports.
The proposed law seeks to prohibit ICE and CBP from utilizing data gathered by the TSA, which includes passenger screening records, travel histories, and personally identifiable information acquired from private data brokers. Tlaib stated that the TSA has become "complicit in ICE expanding its chaos and cruelty to target our communities in our airports."
"Through an information-sharing agreement signed in 2025, TSA is readily offering up our immigrant residents to suffer at the hands of ICE agents so they can fulfill their daily arrest quota," Tlaib said in a statement. "One source from ICE even said it makes for ‘easy targets’ at airports—a disgusting exploitation of immigrants in status limbo." She added, "Immigrants should be able to safely fly in this country without the fear of arrest or deportation."
The bill also includes provisions to prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from barring individuals from trusted traveler programs, such as TSA PreCheck, based on their First Amendment-protected activities, including participation in protests or criticism of the administration.
A TSA spokesperson criticized the bill, arguing that it could compromise national security and make the U.S. more vulnerable to terror threats. "As we approach the 25th anniversary of the horrific terror attacks of 9/11, it’s not shocking that some in the Democrat Party would want to neuter the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to protect Americans from terrorists," the spokesperson said. "DHS was established to prevent information silos that could create blind spots against threats. Does Rep. Tlaib want our enemies to be empowered to attack the U.S. again?"
If enacted, the legislation could significantly impact the coordination of immigration enforcement efforts between various DHS agencies. However, the bill faces a steep challenge in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where it is unlikely to receive a vote.
Democrats have broadly criticized the Trump administration's immigration policies. This criticism has previously fueled significant political battles, including a prolonged government shutdown over DHS funding in early 2025.