Gooden and Rubio Announce Legislation to Prevent Illegal Immigrants Using Arrest Warrants as ID

Statement

WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, Congressman Lance Gooden (R-Texas), joined by Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and a dozen House GOP lawmakers, announced legislation to prevent the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) from allowing an illegal immigrant's arrest warrant to serve as identification when boarding a commercial flight.

Rep. Lance Gooden said, "An illegal immigrant who commits a crime should be arrested and brought before a judge. The Biden Administration is instead putting our national security and American families at risk by allowing them to fly on U.S. airlines."

Senator Marco Rubio said, "Illegal immigrants should not be able to board flights using warrants for their arrest or deportation, and it is ridiculous that the Biden Administration is allowing this to happen. Rep. Gooden and I are working on legislation that will put a stop to this insane practice and secure air travel in this country."

In December, Congressman Gooden demanded answers from TSA after discovering unknown migrants are permitted to fly without proper identification. In a response to his initial inquiry, TSA confirmed their official policy is to allow an illegal migrant's arrest warrant to serve as identification.

The Strengthening Enforcement to Curtail Unlawful, Risky Entrance to (SECURE) Flights Act would require a non-citizen who does not have identification to submit biometric information and go through enhanced security screening. Additionally, the bill requires TSA to go through the official rulemaking process to allow additional forms of identification for non-citizens.

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