Flying domestically in the USA with non-US passport, if the immigration status expired
I live in the U.S. for the last two years, I came here on B2 visa. My status has expired due to some problem before. But I still have my passport. Can I still fly a domestic airline from Boston to Dallas or any other airport in USA with my passport? Would there be any problem?
Best Answer
Not at all.
Flying within the US has no border control (makes sense, as you are just flying within the same country).
All you need is a TSA approved identification document.
Immediately after 9/11 I was flying from San Diego to Dallas, and I was carrying only my Texas driver's license (and no passport).
I was approached by FBI, airport police and INS officials at the airport for some enhanced security checking (keep in mind, this is before the TSA existed in its current form).
They asked me for the purpose of my trip (I was visiting a friend), why I had a bag of quarters in my carry on (we had been to an arcade) and a few other questions.
The INS officer asked for my passport and I told him I don't carry it with me as I do not need to while traveling within the US.
They asked how could they prove I was legally in the US. I had my university fax them a copy of my passport (as I waited with them in a secure area of the terminal).
That is the only time I have encountered such scrutiny (and keep in mind - that was an exceptional case due to the timing of my flight and the obvious security situation).
These days, for domestic flights they just need to match the name on the reservation with some form of ID.
Pictures about "Flying domestically in the USA with non-US passport, if the immigration status expired"
Can you fly within the United States if you are undocumented?
All travelers flying on a domestic flight must present a valid (unexpired) photo ID issued by the state or federal government. Undocumented individuals may use the following forms of ID accepted by TSA: State photo identity card. State driver's license.Does TSA check immigration status?
Yes TSA absolutely has the authority to ask for visas when a person is travelling. TSA is also a part of Homeland Security, the same Department that Immigration is in.Can a non U.S. citizen travel within the U.S. with a passport?
Can I fly with a foreign passport or Employment Authorization Document Card? Yes, as noted above, the list of approved identification to fly domestically includes foreign government-issued passports and/or a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766).Can I travel with an expired foreign passport?
U.S. citizens currently abroad whose passports expired on or after January 1, 2020, may be able to use their expired U.S. passport for return travel to the United States until March 31, 2022.Traveling Without a Legal Status
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Matthis, Karolina Grabowska, Thomas Shockey, Jeffry Surianto