I flew into the Newark airport (EWR) last week.
And honestly? It was uneventful. No drama, no confrontations, no Jason Bourne moments.
But here's the deal. I went in
prepared. And that preparation is the whole point of this email.
What's Actually Happening at U.S. Airports Right Now
The DHS shutdown left TSA employees working without pay for weeks. More than 480 agents have quit. Thousands more have been calling out daily. That has led to hour-long
lines, chaos at security, and a fix that has a lot of travelers on edge.
The government's answer?
Deploy ICE agents to 14 major airports, including JFK, O'Hare, LaGuardia, and others, to help with crowd control and guarding entrances while TSA handles the actual security work. Link
What I Saw at EWR
I didn't spot any ICE agents, but I did notice an unusually
large number of CBP agents near the exit. More than I typically see. Some carrying large weapons.
Could they have been plain-clothes agents using CBP presence as cover? Possible. I can't confirm it. I'm a travel blogger, not a federal agent. But the energy in the terminal felt different.
I moved fast
and kept to myself. I have Global Entry, which means the government already has my biometrics, my travel history, and my documentation. I walked through, skipped the line, and got out.
That said, I wasn't just relying on Global Entry to protect me. I did my homework beforehand.
What I Did Before
I Flew
Here's the exact prep I ran through before heading to the airport.
I uninstalled all social media from my phone. If an agent goes through your device, your content history goes with it. I wasn't taking that chance.
I also turned off Face ID and switched to a PIN. The reason is simple. An agent can physically hold your phone up to your face without asking. They can't force a PIN out of you the same way.
I moved quickly once I was inside. Everyone is on edge right now and the airport is not the place to browse, linger, or get comfortable. Get in, get through, get out.
What You Should Know About Your Rights
Here's where it gets important.
- You are not at home. The airport is a federal space, and the rules are different. Agents can ask for your legal documentation and
search your luggage. That is within their authority.
- You can and should verbally state that you do not consent to a search of your device. That matters as a legal record. But they may still detain it. If you are carrying anything sensitive on your phone, know this is a gray area right now.
- You have the right to remain silent. I would use
it.
- Do not physically resist officers. Document everything you safely can. That documentation could matter later if a legal challenge becomes necessary.
- Memorize a phone number before you go. One number. A family member, a friend, someone you trust. If you are ever separated from your phone, that call may be the only one you get.
The Bottom Line
My trip through Newark was fine. Maybe ICE wasn't there that day. Maybe having Global Entry meant there were no questions about my citizenship. I honestly don't know.
But here's the
thing. I wasn't just hoping for the best. I went in with a plan.
Travel is still worth doing. The world is still out there. You just need to move through it smarter right now.