Padilla, Schiff Launch Inquiry into TSA, ICE Data Sharing Following Alarming Arrest at San Francisco International Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) launched an inquiry into data sharing by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials relating to the arrest and removal of Angelina Lopez-Jimenez and her child at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

"The reporting following this incident has been alarming. It indicates that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at the San Francisco International Airport contacted ICE officers after becoming aware of this individual's case in immigration court and its posture," wrote the Senators.

In an inquiry directed to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill, and ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons, the lawmakers requested a full briefing along with answers to several troubling questions following Lopez-Jimenez's arrest. These include requests for more information on the immigration status and citizenship data TSA receives at airport screenings, TSA's policy on contacting immigration enforcement, the timeline for when TSA began contacting ICE to make arrests at airports, the criminal convictions flagged in connection to Ms. Lopez-Jimenez's arrest, and whether ICE operates deportation flights from SFO.

Padilla has been a leading voice in opposition to President Trump's cruel and indiscriminate mass deportation agenda, including against his unprecedented, illegal militarization of Los Angeles and other American cities like Minneapolis. In January, Padilla spoke on the Senate floor to hold the line against any additional funding for President Trump's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after the brutal killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by ICE and CBP officers and agents. He has consistently voted "no" against funding ICE and CBP's lawless and reckless actions absent accountability. At a bicameral spotlight forum in February, Padilla denounced DHS agents' violent tactics and disproportionate use of force, including against U.S. citizens, as they enact President Trump's mass deportation agenda in American cities.

Last year, Padilla and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced the Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act to allow individuals - regardless of citizenship - the right to sue federal law enforcement officers and agencies in civil court for violations of their civil and constitutional rights. Last July, Padilla and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the VISIBLE Act to require immigration enforcement officers to display clearly visible identification during public-facing enforcement actions.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:  

Secretary Mullin, Senior Official NcNeill, and Acting Director Lyons:

On Sunday, March 22, a minor child and her mother, Angelina Lopez-Jimenez, were traveling through San Francisco International Airport when plainclothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested and handcuffed Ms. Lopez-Jimenez before her minor child. The reporting following this incident has been alarming. It indicates that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at the San Francisco International Airport contacted ICE officers after becoming aware of this individual's case in immigration court and its posture.

TSA lists its criteria for consideration of disqualifying offenses and factors based on analysis of (a) Interpol, (2) terrorist watchlists, and (3) other relevant information related to convictions or guilty findings. Reporting has not indicated that Ms. Lopez-Jimenez has been convicted of any crime listed in these categories or was otherwise on an Interpol or terrorist watchlist.

As such, we request responses to the following questions and an urgent Member briefing by Friday, April 3.

1. Please provide a full list of the information related to immigration status or citizenship that TSA receives when an individual is screened at security checkpoints within an airport since January 20, 2025, and which databases TSA has access to.

1. What is TSA's policy on contacting ICE enforcement officers to arrest travelers at airports?
   1. What criteria is TSA applying to determine whether contact with or referral to ICE is appropriate?
   2. Does TSA have any discretion in contacting ICE?
   3. Which components of ICE is TSA sharing information with?
   4. Does ICE have and use its discretion on where and when to make arrests?

1. Does TSA have a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with ICE on arresting travelers at airports?
   1. If yes, please provide a copy of this MOU.

1. Does TSA have a Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with ICE on arresting travelers at airports?
   1. If yes, please provide a copy of this MOA.

1. Does TSA have an Interagency Agreement (IAA) with ICE on arresting travelers at airports?
   1. If yes, please provide a copy of this IAA.

1. Has TSA made any referrals to ICE for arrests at airports?
   1. If yes, please provide the number of referrals and the basis for these referrals since the date TSA referrals to ICE began or January 20, 2025, whichever is earlier.

1. When did TSA start its practice of contacting ICE to make arrests at airports?

1. Did the Department of Homeland Security issue a directive to TSA to share information regarding domestic travelers' immigration information with ICE?
   1. If yes, please provide a copy of any such directive or policy.

1. Which other airports, in addition to San Francisco International Airport, has TSA contacted ICE to arrest travelers in?

1. Is TSA sharing information with U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding travelers on domestic flights?
   1. If yes, what information is being shared and when did this begin?
   2. If yes, please provide a copy of any information sharing agreement or MOU in place with CBP.

1. What criminal convictions were flagged for TSA regarding Ms. Lopez-Jimenez, if any?

1. Does ICE operate deportation flights from San Francisco International Airport?
   1. If not, how or on what plane did ICE officers transport Ms. Lopez-Jimenez and her minor child from San Francisco International Airport to Texas?

Sincerely,

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