A 39-year-old woman from El Salvador was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Salt Lake City International Airport, authorities confirmed.
The arrest took place near the baggage claim area, a public section of the airport, and was carried out as part of a federal immigration operation. Local officials said the woman had been living in the United States for several years and was taken into custody based on an existing immigration order that had been issued without her presence in court.
ICE officials stated that individuals found to be in violation of U.S. immigration law may be detained and placed in removal proceedings, regardless of nationality or length of stay in the country.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall confirmed that local law enforcement was not involved in the operation. She emphasized that the arrest was conducted independently by federal authorities and did not take place in a secured area of the airport.
The incident has raised renewed attention around immigration enforcement actions carried out in public spaces and without coordination with local agencies.
