Airport Travel Tips for Undocumented Immigrants
// June 16th, 2009 // Immigration, Videos
Okay, don’t travel if you can avoid it. But if you cannot, here are some basic tips that should alleviate some of your fears.
Airport Travel – Dos and Don’ts
Dress nicely and smartly. Avoid any fancy metallic-embedded clothing that might set off detectors and subject you to a strip-search.
Ideally, do a web-check in 24 hours ahead of time so you don’t have to stand in line.
There are 3 checkpoints
-A TSA agent that checks your valid government-issued photo ID and flight ticket. TSA is not immigration and not supposed to look for a visa but they have time to waste sometimes. It also makes sense for this reason to fly during heavy traffic hours.
Open up your passport to the valid ID page so the agent doesn’t have to flip through the passport and see any expired visas. They usually do not check for a visa of any sort, even on foreign passports. If you have a state ID, you need not worry about this though REAL ID may now stipulate some additional documentation. DO NOT EVER answer immigration questions that may reveal your status. You have a right to a lawyer if you are detained. If you end up in trouble at any time, call 415-808-4444
(If you are flying with checked-in bagged, that would be your first checkpoint—checking in the baggage. Airlines now charge $15 for this. If you have a short itinerary, skip the checked baggage and simply get two small carry-on items on the airplane like a backpack and a laptop bag).
-The main security checkpoint where you are subjected to a metal detector search
-And finally, handing over your airline ticket to the agent.
Tips for the Main Security Checkpoint
You do not need your ID for this checkpoint but just a boarding pass.
After smiling nicely and speaking politely to the first TSA agent, prepare to take some empty tubs and take off your shoes, watch, belt, cellphone and anything else that may set off metal detectors. Laptops, electronic items such as video games and toiletry bags must be taken out of bags and screened separately in a tub. Toiletries should be in a separate clear ziplock bag with your liquids separated. Water bottles and food items from outside would probably be trashed but you can buy food at the gates (last checkpoint) to take on the plane trip.
After passing through this main security point, you are safe. You MIGHT get subject to a random search or if you somehow set off the metal detectors. Stay calm and let them do a pat-down.
It goes without saying that after passing the second checkpoint, you should gather all belongings and head to camp out in your gate area till your flight starts boarding. You also do not need your ID at this point.
On the plane
You’ll get a complimentary beverage. Snacks are $$.
Befriend: Virgin America
Airport travel is tricky. From my experiences and those of other undocumented youth, I have no trouble deducing that a Latino or Asian male with a foreign passport is likely to undergo more scrutiny than a model minority or European female with similar identification. It’s racial profiling 101. Period.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
11 Responses to “Airport Travel Tips for Undocumented Immigrants”
Leave a Reply
- Ab Deviller said: I want to see Bipasha & larra dutta in Lesbian...
- Karen said: I know what you mean. I am a (former) DREAMer who ...
- Prerna said: http://www.dreamactivist.org/support-dream-act-tsh...
- david said: I'm a white male and I often get treated the same ...
- Maegan la Mala Ortiz said: This person has a very bad habit of talking about ...
- Prerna Lal said: I think it might be that I have more fans on Twitt...
- A Fijian Miss Idaho Teen USA 2010
- Airport Travel Tips for Undocumented Immigrants
- My Coming Out Story - Growing Up Gay in Fiji
- Top 5 Bollywood Lesbian Icons
- Coming out in the New York Times
It also depends on which airport you’re flying through. Avoid Atlanta if at all possible. DHS has been rolling out additional checkpoint systems there and at selected other airports. Also, there’ve been reports recently of people being picked up at Newark airport in NJ, including undocumented family members waiting at the airport. I’ve been a little hazy on this whole issue, and I’m sure DHS would like to keep it that way. Also, DHS is implementing new biometrics checks for people on their way out of the U.S. http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1243605893203.shtm
I don’t know whether they would take the extraordinarily stupid step of detaining people on their way out of the country, but they do it routinely at the land borders.
Also, never never take the bus or train through upstate New York–that includes many routes from NYC/Boston to cities in the Midwest. And avoid Amtrak and Greyhound whenever possible out of principle whatever your immigration status–they collaborate with ICE to track down immigrant passengers and break up families.
[...] Follow this link: Airport Travel Tips for Undocumented Immigrants | No Borders and … [...]
I was flying out of San Diego airport and this white kid about 4 people behind me was stopped in his tracks when he told TSA that he had the right to now show his government issued ID. He was pulled out of line and taken into a room to be checked out. He ended up being let go but I overheard him tell the agent that he was just trying to test the system. He was allowed to fly but not after about 30 min questioning and quick background.And this was a white college kid “trying to make a statement”. I would not suggest an illegal try this at all. It’s a one way ticket straight back home.
I have been to 12 different airports here — never had an issue.
Things are likely to be different in San Diego and with a Mexican passport.
If you say you dont have an ID and go through a Pat-down. Would I still fly?
Never tried it while being brown. You need some sort of ID to fly. NOTHING won't do.
I am traveling to the northwest in a few days I have never traveled by plane, does the TDC check your unexpired visa?
No, it should be apparent from the post that it doesn’t. Unless you have a very unlucky day.
Would I be safe traveling from JFK to miami ? Does it also matter which airlines you take
No, it doesn't matter what airline.
And you should be fine as long as you have proper documentation and don't try to do anything stupid.
What do you mean by proper documentation? I only have my foreign passport from central america, not expired of course, but since it is new, there is no visa or any sort of stamps in it. Because of the Haiti earthquake and Haitians being flown in to Miami airport, security has been quite tight with ICE and everything. I'm just so nervous because tsa do flip through the passports now. What should I say and do if I'm being question or detain? I hear stories of people going to detention and being lock up without proper treatment and that includes no phone calls!
THANK YOU so much for replying.
P.S. I read your story and I just want to say that I am happy for who you are and where you are today. I wish you the best of luck and good health for the new years!