What Canadians should know as ICE agents pop up at U.S. airports
It looks like Canadians who travel to the United States will be seeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents stationed at some airports until further notice.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been shut down since funding ran out in mid-February, and it seems like there’s no end in sight yet as Republicans and Democrats continue to clash.
Employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which falls under the DHS, are getting the short end of the stick as they’ve worked without pay for over a month. TSA absences reached their highest level over the weekend, resulting in hours-long security lines in major airports in the U.S.
In response, Trump has deployed ICE agents to 14 of the busiest airports in America in an attempt to help the TSA.
Canadians who need to travel down south for work or school may be concerned about the agency’s presence at airports.
U.S.-based immigration lawyer Len Saunders says this concern is understandable.
The first month of 2026 saw a spike in deaths involving ICE, with reports of six immigrants who died in the agency’s custody. Two U.S. citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, were also shot and killed by ICE agents during protests in Minneapolis in January.
The latest data shows that over 200 Canadians spent time in ICE custody last year.
“When you hear of Americans being killed by ICE at protests, when you see these ICE officers with masks on, when you hear of Canadians being detained in the U.S, the last thing that most Canadians want to do is go through security at airports in the U.S. and find out they’re dealing with an ICE officer,” he told Daily Hive.
Calgary-based immigration lawyer Evelyn Ackah advises that Canadians who don’t need to go to the U.S. “should take a pause and maybe not travel.”
However, if you’re someone who has to travel south for unavoidable reasons like work, school or prior commitments, here’s what you should know and how to make going through security as smooth as possible.
Should you be worried about ICE agents making arrests at airports?
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents gather while patrolling around Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday, March 23, 2026, in Newark. (© Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Ackah’s law firm primarily works with professional clients like CEOs, entrepreneurs, and consultants who need to work in the U.S. She told Daily Hive that it’s been more challenging to get document approvals since the trade war between Canada and the U.S. began.
“There’s been very much a shift in tone and attitude and just level of pushback and hostility, and now I think it’s going to be enhanced significantly,” she explained.
Ackah says she’s had more clients in the last year get their NEXUS passes revoked at the U.S. border because border officials became suspicious of her clients’ background, and when her clients tried to clarify, the officials didn’t believe their story.
ICE agents at airports add another layer of concern to America’s already strict border policies.
“They’re trained differently…their focus is on arresting, detention and deportation,” said Ackah. ”
U.S. border czar Tom Homan told CNN’s State of the Union over the weekend that ICE agents would help the TSA cover support tasks to free up employees for more specialized roles.
These responsibilities could include guarding exits or non-screening tasks. Homan assured travellers that agents deployed at airports shouldn’t be conducting immigration enforcement or randomly arresting travellers.
Saunders says the average Canadian doesn’t have to worry about a hostile encounter with ICE, but that their mere presence and the thought of possibly being detained will be another deterrent for travel down south.
“My office is within eyesight of the Peace Arch port of entry, which is the third busiest port of entry on the northern border. It’s literally deadsville. There are hardly any Canadians coming down,” he said. “Most Canadians just don’t want to deal with the hassle of ‘okay, what happens if I happen to be taken into custody?'”
He says it’s going to be a very rare occurrence, but speculates that there may be a news story about a Canadian being detained in the near future.
Who’s more at risk of being detained?
A couple of travellers thank U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as they patrol around Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday, March 23, 2026, in Newark. (© Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Both Saunders and Ackah say that travellers who are more likely to be detained are people who have a prior criminal conviction or an immigration violation.
Ackah says it doesn’t have to be a serious offence; it could be something that happened decades ago that border officials decide to dig into.
She also points out that ICE agents have a bias when choosing who to question.
“If you’re a person of colour, if you’re of a specific religion, if you’re born in a country that is now on the list that the government is being sensitive to, but you’re a Canadian citizen…they could treat it more like an enforcement security issue than an actual immigration issue,” she said.
What can Canadians do to get through airport security smoothly?
If you are travelling down south, both Saunders and Ackah advise you to have your documents in order, including your passport and any visas you require.
Canadians who plan on staying in the U.S. for longer than 30 days now need to register with the U.S. government.
“You want to make sure that you follow the law perfectly, so that you’re not in a situation where they may happen to arrest you because you have a lack of documentation,” explained Saunders.
Ackah says that if you’re going to the U.S. for business, in addition to a valid work permit, you should also bring an employer business visitor letter that confirms that you’re just travelling there to meet clients for a short trip.
She adds that her law firm always tells its clients to dress professionally and treat crossing the U.S. border like a job interview.
“Think before you open your mouth. A lot of times you’ll be asked a question they already know the answer to, so make sure you’re telling the truth,” she said. “Be very respectful, no matter what kind of pushback or aggressiveness you’re receiving, be respectful and keep calm.”
What to do if you are detained by ICE
Saunders says he’s visited ICE detention centres all over the U.S.
“The first thing they do is they take your cell phone,” he said. “If I were to advise Canadians what to do if they happen to be taken into custody, try to remember phone numbers so at least you know who to call.”
He says one contact you should have ready just in case is the Canadian consulate. However, once you’re in custody, Saunders says it could take weeks or even months to be released.
Have you had any concerning encounters with ICE agents at U.S. airports? Share your experience with us at trending@dailyhive.com.