Immigration

CAIR-WA warns noncitizens to reconsider air travel amid ICE arrests

The group is urging non-U.S. citizens to consult an immigration attorney before flying, even domestically, amid increased immigration enforcement.

Author: Sharon Yoo
Published: 5:19 PM PDT September 3, 2026
Updated: 5:19 PM PDT September 3, 2026

Video at the page link

SEATAC, Wash. — A Washington nonprofit is warning people who are not U.S. citizens to consider limiting air travel and speak with an immigration attorney before flying, citing recent immigration arrests at airports and increased enforcement across the country.

The Washington chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR-WA, issued the travel warning this week as Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests continue in Washington communities and at airports.

The warning applies even to domestic flights.

“We encourage our community to try to limit domestic travel, even international travel if possible,” CAIR-WA Executive Director Imraan Siddiqui said. “Emergencies come up. It's better to stay safe.”

CAIR-WA is particularly urging people with pending immigration matters to understand their individual circumstances before traveling. The organization is not saying every noncitizen who flies will face arrest, but says recent enforcement actions have made it difficult to assure immigrants that traveling carries no risk.

Asked what he would tell a loved one who wanted to know whether it was safe to fly, Siddiqui said, “I would say speak to an immigration attorney. That's what we're telling our communities.”

Asylum seeker arrested after returning to SEA Airport

The warning comes after an asylum seeker was taken into ICE custody at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) last month.

On Aug. 10, the woman was returning from a vacation from Texas on a connecting flight. When she landed at SEA, she was taken into custody after her flight arrived.

The arrest was part of a broader pattern of immigration enforcement that has included people with pending immigration cases.

“We've seen asylum seekers, which is a legal status in this country, constantly being picked up,” Siddiqui said. “There's no rhyme or reason, but this is just chaos within our immigration system right now.”

Siddiqui called the enforcement “basically legalized racial profiling.”

ICE arrests continue across western Washington

The airport warning comes as immigration arrests continue elsewhere in western Washington.

Video recorded Wednesday in Tukwila showed federal agents handcuffing a man behind his back.

Another arrest was recorded the same day in Federal Way. A woman who asked KING 5 to identify her only as Sarah because she fears retaliation said several agents gathered outside her home while arresting a man.

“There were four of them,” Sarah said. “About an hour or so later, another one showed up. Eventually two more showed up. One of the guys got out of his vehicle and got an assault rifle.”

Sarah said it was the second immigration arrest she witnessed that day. Earlier, she said she saw what appeared to be the same group of agents arresting someone at a Dutch Bros parking lot.

“To have them right in front of my house was really disturbing and stressful,” she said.

CAIR-WA says the increase in enforcement has left organizations serving immigrant communities balancing the need to warn people about potential risks without creating unnecessary fear.

“It's not safe to go to the airport and assume everything is going to be okay,” Siddiqui said. “Once you get into this immigration system, it's very, very hard to get out of ICE detention.”

Immigration attorneys in high demand

For people concerned about traveling, CAIR-WA recommends consulting an immigration attorney who can evaluate their specific status and circumstances.

That can be difficult. Immigration attorneys and nonprofit legal organizations are handling a high volume of cases as enforcement increases.

Organizations including CAIR-WA and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project provide immigration resources, though both are also dealing with cases requiring immediate attention.

KING 5 reached out to lawmakers about the recent enforcement activity. Sen. Patty Murray's office said she is aware of arrests occurring both in communities and at airports and will continue pushing for accountability from the Department of Homeland Security.

CAIR-WA warns noncitizens to reconsider air travel amid ICE arrests | king5.com