Essential ICE Information for NC Travelers at RDU and CLT Airports

Federal immigration agents have moved to assist at several U.S. airports during a partial government shutdown. The deployments have renewed questions about travelers’ rights and the roles of different agencies. Filmogaz.com reviewed the situation at North Carolina airports and the guidance available to passengers.

Shutdown, staffing and enforcement context

The partial government shutdown began Saturday, Feb. 14. Some lawmakers withheld funding for the Department of Homeland Security pending immigration agency reforms. During the shutdown, Transportation Security Administration employees were required to work without pay.

On the night of Thursday, Mar. 26, President Donald Trump said he would sign an order to provide pay for TSA staff. Separately, immigration enforcement operations such as “Charlotte’s Web” led to at least 370 arrests last fall.

Deployment status at RDU and CLT

As of Wednesday, Mar. 25, federal immigration agents were not reported at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Filmogaz.com confirmed there was no apparent ICE presence at RDU. TSA wait times remained normal, and absenteeism among screeners was not considered a major issue.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport also did not show signs of ICE deployment by that date. The Department of Homeland Security had not confirmed whether agents would be sent to CLT.

Local incidents referenced

Border Patrol officers questioned a man near Southeast Raleigh High School on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. The individual presented identification and was not taken into custody. Another image showed Border Patrol agents waiting in a Compare Foods parking lot on North Tryon Street in Charlotte on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.

What travelers should know

Travelers at RDU and CLT airports should know basic rights and procedures. TSA screeners generally require a valid form of identification. They should not ask about a person’s citizenship status during the security screening.

Immigration officers and agents have different authorities than TSA screeners. ICE and Border Patrol can ask immigration-related questions in certain contexts. For that reason, understanding Essential ICE information for NC travelers at RDU and CLT airports is important.

Legal rights summarized

• People cannot be stopped or searched based solely on religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs.
• Individuals do not have to answer questions about religious beliefs or political opinions.
• Travelers must respond to questions that establish identity and citizenship when lawfully required.
• Refusing to provide passwords or unlock electronic devices should not be used to deny entry to the United States.

Advice for immigrants and others

Lawful permanent residents should carry proof of status. That includes a passport, green card, visa, or other documentation. Immigration attorney Yesenia Polanco advised that travelers carry those documents when they fly.

Everyone in the United States retains the right to remain silent and to consult an attorney. Polanco urged people to assert rights calmly and avoid escalating confrontations with officers. Those with final orders of deportation face the highest risk of detention, along with people traveling with them.

Practical steps for travelers

• Carry a valid photo ID for TSA screening at RDU and CLT airports.
• Immigration-status holders should also carry proof of their legal status.
• If questioned, remain polite and request an attorney if you choose to remain silent.
• Document interactions when safe, and report civil-rights concerns to local advocacy groups.

Public statements from advocacy groups and airport leaders reflect ongoing concern. Naureen Shah of the ACLU warned against deploying armed agents to airports in ways that could unsettle travelers. Airport officials, including Nina Szlosberg-Landis, noted that operations at RDU were functioning normally despite the shutdown.

For current, location-specific guidance, travelers should consult official airport resources and review Essential ICE information for NC travelers at RDU and CLT airports before travel.