Are you living in the USA without papers and want to know if you can travel by plane within the country? We’ll tell you if it’s possible and what risks you would take.
Before boarding to the United States, all passengers must undergo a check of their baggage and identity to ensure their presence on the aircraft is safe.
However, there are nearly 15 million undocumented migrants in the American Union who may have difficulty proving their identity at airports.
Migrants who enter the U.S. to live without a visa are typically not required to provide documents that agents at airports can use to allow them to board a plane.
Legally, there is no ban on migrants living in the United States from boarding a flight without documentation, but it is mandatory for them to show identification.
Currently, migrants at airports use identification cards issued by state governments, such as driver’s licenses, which can be issued without proof of the person’s permanent residency.
However, starting in 2025, undocumented migrants will no longer be able to use these IDs, as they will only be allowed to board a flight with Real ID, a heightened security ID that those without legal permanent residency can no longer obtain.
However, boarding a plane is still permitted if the person shows their current and valid passport.
Although migrants are not banned from flying within US territory, people risk being recognized as irregular residents.
Airports across the United States are filled with immigration officers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees who have the authority to detain people suspected of not being in the country legally.
Suspicion increases if the person does not have a US passport or tourist visa. Once discovered, the migrant could be deported to their country of origin.
