TSA says illegal migrants can use arrest warrants as ID to board American flights

The TSA has cleared the air regarding claims that illegal migrants have been able to fly domestically within the United States despite not having proper identification.

The agency explained that in cases where traditional forms of ID are not available, migrants are allowed to use alternate documents.

In December, Rep. Lance Gooden of Texas demanded that the Transportation Security Administration explain how illegal migrants were permitted to fly in the United States without proper identification.

"The Transportation Security Administration is putting millions of Americans flying for Christmas at risk by allowing unknown, and potentially dangerous, immigrants to board commercial aircraft," he wrote in a statement. "The American people deserve transparency and to know U.S. national security and their personal safety are not being put at risk."

In response, TSA Administrator David Pekoske revealed that the agency allows people to use two forms of alternate ID in place of traditional documents.

As the Daily Mail reports, these "alternate documents" can include a "Warrant for Arrest of Alien" and a "Warrant of Removal/Deportation." According to the DHS, approximately 159 people use these documents to travel within the United States every day.

"TSA is committed to ensuring that all travelers, regardless of immigration status, are pre-screened before they arrive to the airport, have their pre-screening status and identification verified at security checkpoints, and receive appropriate screening based on risk before entering the sterile area of the airport," said Pekoske, assuring that people need not worry.

Nonetheless, Rep. Gooden told the Daily Mail that he still feels the TSA is putting Americans at risk, adding that, "Unknown and unvetted immigrants shouldn't even be in the country, much less flying without proper identification."