Washington - On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (DHS OIG) released a report, previously demanded by Congressman Lance Gooden (R-TX), confirming the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows illegal immigrants to board U.S. flights without being properly vetted. Echoing Rep. Gooden’s concerns, DHS OIG found TSA’s weak screening procedures cannot ensure high-risk migrants who may pose a threat to the flying public will not board domestic flights.
"I'm proud to have uncovered this alarming scandal that allows unvetted, unidentified illegal aliens to board commercial flights with minimal scrutiny. My efforts, alongside Senator Rubio, spurred the alarming DHS OIG report that confirmed TSA is allowing illegal aliens to pass through airport security without proper identification,” said Rep. Gooden.
“The Biden-Harris Administration's decision to prioritize illegal immigrants over securing our transportation system poses serious national security risks. Even more alarming, the American taxpayer is footing the bill for Kamala’s illegal airline operation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the SECURE Flights Act (H.R.1703) to end this reckless loophole and protect American families from unnecessary risks."
Background: The DHS OIG report reveals a colossal failure by TSA and DHS to protect national security by allowing noncitizens without proper identification to board domestic flights. Despite clear risks, TSA continues to rely on ineffective vetting processes that do not thoroughly verify identities, while DHS has failed to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of these dangerous practices. This negligence exposes American travelers to potential threats daily, with TSA and DHS showing blatant disregard for public safety. You can read the final report here.
This builds on an investigation led by Congressman Gooden in 2021 that uncovered a network of NGOs working with CBP and TSA to fly unvetted illegal aliens into the interior of the country on the taxpayer dime. In 2022, Congressman Gooden and Senator Rubio requested the DHS Inspector General conduct a review of TSA’s policies and procedures that allow illegal aliens to enter the sterile area of an airport and board a plane with only an ICE form I-200 (Warrant for Arrest of Alien) as a form of identification. Gooden and Rubio Reintroduce the SECURE Flights Act In March of 2023, Congressman Lance Gooden (R-Texas), joined by Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and several House GOP lawmakers, announced the reintroduction of the Strengthening Enforcement to Curtail Unlawful, Risky Entrance to (SECURE) Flights Act. This legislation would have addressed the security lapses discovered in the DHS/OIG report by preventing the Transportation and Security Administration from allowing an illegal immigrant’s arrest warrant to serve as identification when boarding a commercial flight.