Interview Transcript:
ABC News: Tonight’s deep dive. We’re taking a closer look at the role of ICE agents in airports after President Trump sent them as the partial government shutdown wreaks havoc on airport operations. Joining me now to break this all down is Rosanna Berardi. She’s an immigration attorney. Rosanna, thank you so much for joining us. So you say ICE has one job and it’s not the TSA. What was your reaction to the news of officers being deployed to airports?
Rosanna Berardi: Well, I thought it was a certainly interesting solution to this very large problem. Immigration and Customs Enforcement generally has the job and the mandate to enforce the US immigration law. But I do think if you look behind this, I think it’s an attempt by the administration to extend an olive branch to the American public and say, well, here’s another agency that may help this terrible situation. And let’s talk about the constitutional rights that folks have in this country.
ABC News: Do travelers have to speak to ICE agents or answer questions if asked?
Rosanna Berardi: So it depends. If you’re a US citizen, you do not. If you’re a green card holder, you’re required to show your green card. And if you’re here as a tourist or a foreign national with a work permit or some type of temporary visa, you are required to show your documentation upon asking.
ABC News: OK, that is good to know. What should people do if they are approached by ICE agents?
Rosanna Berardi: It basically lists off what you just said. Just show them the card if you are or tourists or you do have a green card. So my advice to our clients and overall is to cooperate with ICE and any law enforcement agency that may approach you. Most individuals in an airport do have identity documentation on them. It is required for flying. So if ICE is asking about your status in the United States, it’s best to show them the documentation. Now, you do not have to provide a lot of other information regarding your plans in the U.S. or anything very specific, but at the very least, ICE does have the ability to determine whether you’re in the United States lawfully.
ABC News: And what do say to folks who say the more agents, the better, whether it’s for crowd control or to assist TSA officers in any way? Do you have a message for those folks?
Rosanna Berardi: Well, I mean, we need all the help we can get at the airports. The lines are looking longer and longer. Doesn’t look like Congress is going to pass anything anytime soon today or tomorrow, so perhaps ice can be helpful. We’re not seeing it in the in the recent media footage. We’re seeing a lot of standing around if you will and and looking like they might just be roaming the airports if they can actually get their hands on on traffic. That would be certainly helpful to TSA, but as the TSA Union has indicated, ICE really isn’t trained in the TSA processing procedure, so we’ll see what happens here. But I think the extra law enforcement maybe for optics and may not really solve this problem.
ABC News: Rosanna Berardi, thank you very much Rosanna for your time and insights. Appreciate it.
Rosanna Berardi: My pleasure.
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