WASHINGTON, DC – On January 25, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) introduced the Crime Doesn’t Fly Act, legislation that prohibits the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from accepting warrants for the arrest or deportation of illegal immigrants as valid proof of identification at aviation security checkpoints. Last week, TSA confirmed in a letter to Congress that the agency is accepting illegal immigrant arrest warrants as valid forms of identification.

“If we learned anything from the September 11 attacks, it’s that our federal agencies must be diligent in screening passengers to ensure those flying don’t pose a terrorist or criminal threat to themselves or other passengers on board,” said Congresswoman Malliotakis. “Allowing illegal immigrants, particularly those with arrest and deportation warrants, to board domestic or international flights is a public safety and national security risk of the highest extreme and against the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. My legislation ensures those actively wanted by law enforcement don’t fly. Instead of aiding and abetting criminals, TSA should be turning these fugitives into the nearest law enforcement facility.”

“Anyone who is in our country illegally should not be allowed to travel throughout the United States unless they’re being deported,” said Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL) who is co-leading the bill. “President Trump’s law and order policies would have never endangered our communities in this way – it’s time for Congress to re-assert its authority because President Biden’s reckless open border immigration policies are a harm to families everywhere. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bill with Rep. Malliotakis.”

According to current TSA regulations, the following are the only valid forms of ID that are permitted for air travel:

• Driver’s licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• S. Passport or U.S. Passport card
• DHS trusted travelers card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• S. Department of Defense ID, including ID’s to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
• Photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• S. citizenship and immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (i-766)
• S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Reps. Newhouse (WA-04), Miller-Meeks (IA-02), Jacobs (NY-27), Wagner (MO-02), Gibbs (OH-07), Weber (TX-14), Gohmert (TX-01), Miller (IL-15), Cawthorn (NC-11), Buchanan (FL-16), Gaetz (FL-01), and Guest (MS-03), are cosponsors of the bill.