The increased presence of ICE agents at U.S. airports has prompted concerns for international adoptees. The Adoptee Rights Law Center has issued an advisory: Do Not Fly.
The Law Center’s founder Greg Luce, an attorney (and an adopted person) with significant experience in immigration law and a deep commitment to international adoptees, wrote this:
Given the recent significant presence of ICE officers at dozens of US airports across the United States, I am currently advising intercountry adoptees NOT to fly domestically unless 1) it is necessary and 2) you travel with either a US passport book or a U.S. passport card.
Why should Intercountry adoptees avoid air travel within the U.S.? According to Greg, “Immigration enforcement at U.S. airports threatens anyone who may not have available proof of U.S. citizenship, even if they are U.S. citizens—and even if they are in the process of securing citizenship or legal status. Intercountry adoptees, particularly those who by law are U.S. citizens but do not have available proof of citizenship (e.g. do not have a US passport or a Certificate of Naturalization/Citizenship), are vulnerable to immigration questioning and possible enforcement. Unless you have a US passport book or U.S. passport card and carry it with you on domestic flights, I do not recommend flying domestically within the United States at this time.”
Please share this important information. I hope that folks aren’t pulled in for questioning or more, and hope that everyone has their needed documentation and is safe.
My unofficial, non-lawyer thoughts: The passport card is easiest to carry. It’s great if folks can get both the passport book and the card, and keep the passport book in a safe place at home. You can photocopy the passport book page with your photo, and carry that, I’d guess. Some folks are using digital ID on their Apple phons, for example. Here’s an article that may be of interest: Your passport, now on your iPhone. Helpful or risky? I’ll reiterate my call that all international adoptees have their Certificate of Citizenship. Keep that in a safe place. Keep copies too.
For those adoptees who have questions or need further info, here’s what the Advisory says:
“If you are an intercountry adoptee in the United States and have additional questions about U.S.-based airline travel, you may request a free consultation to discuss your travel plans and how best to prepare for them. This applies ONLY to intercountry adopted people in the United States who have upcoming domestic travel. Use this form to make the request for guidance.“
Additional sources about ICE presence at U.S. airports:
From CNN: ICE arrests at US airports are happening more frequently, attorneys say.
From The New York Times; ICE Arrests Surge at Airports, Opening New Front in Deportation Drive.
From USA Today: New ICE tactic targets travelers at US airports.