Immigrant Airport Workers Sue DHS Over Revoked Security Clearances

Lawsuit alleges Customs and Border Protection unfairly revoked 'Customs seals' from 80 workers at Boston's Logan Airport

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:53pm by Ben Kaplan

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Four immigrant airport workers have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection, alleging the agencies have revoked the security credentials required to work in restricted areas of airports from immigrant workers who have legal authorization to work in the United States. The lawsuit claims the policy change has affected employees at multiple major airports nationwide, leading to widespread job losses.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns over the federal government's treatment of immigrant workers, particularly those in critical infrastructure roles at airports. The lawsuit argues the policy change violates workers' constitutional rights and unfairly targets immigrant employees, undermining the experienced workforce that keeps airports functioning.

The details

The lawsuit was brought by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents airport service workers, along with four individual plaintiffs who previously worked at Boston's Logan International Airport and lost their jobs after their 'Customs seals' were revoked by CBP. The complaint alleges that since 2025, CBP has revoked or denied these security clearances from immigrant workers who have valid federal work permits, under a narrower interpretation of 'authorized residency' requirements.

  • In early 2025, CBP began revoking or denying Customs seals from immigrant workers nationwide.
  • On June 30, one of the plaintiffs, Saint Paul Paul, received a letter from CBP stating he was an 'unacceptable risk' and had his seal revoked.
  • In 2025, plaintiff Raquel Molina lost her 27-year airport job after her seal was revoked.

The players

Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

The federal agency responsible for issuing the security clearances, known as 'Customs seals,' that allow airport workers unescorted access to restricted areas.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The parent agency of CBP, named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

The union representing airport service workers nationwide, which brought the lawsuit on behalf of its members.

Saint Paul Paul

A Haitian immigrant with Temporary Protected Status and a pending asylum case, who lost his airport job after his Customs seal was revoked.

Raquel Molina

A cabin cleaner at Logan Airport for 27 years before her Customs seal was revoked in 2025, despite having Temporary Protected Status and valid work authorization.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The letter I got from Customs and Border Protection on June 30 said that I was an 'unacceptable risk,' even though I have the authority to work, even though I am a good worker.”

— Saint Paul Paul (Newsweek)

“I think this language is an excuse so the government can discriminate against immigrants like me.”

— Saint Paul Paul (Newsweek)

“Customs and Border Protection has violated its own regulations, federal statute, and the U.S. Constitution's due process protections. Simply put: CBP is scraping the bottom of the barrel to come up with ways to shut out immigrant workers from union jobs they've held for years. Its actions are another piece of the Trump administration's broader campaign to make life intolerable for immigrants.”

— Marisa Houlahan, Student member of the Worker and Immigrant Rights Advocacy Clinic at Yale Law School (Newsweek)

“Without the sweat and commitment of our union's immigrant members who handle passenger bags, clean airplane cabins, transport travelers in wheelchairs, and more, airports could not function, including Logan Airport. This has upended their lives and undermined the experience and capacity of Logan's behind-the-scenes workforce.”

— Manny Pastreich, President of 32BJ SEIU (Newsweek)

What’s next

The lawsuit is seeking to have the policy change declared unlawful, restore the affected workers' Customs seals, and require the government to provide advance notice and a hearing before revoking such clearances.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by immigrant workers in critical infrastructure roles, as the federal government appears to be unfairly targeting them with policy changes that threaten their livelihoods and undermine the experienced workforce that keeps airports running smoothly.