By SUZANNE DOWNING
Aug. 9, 2026 – An Anchorage immigration law firm is warning noncitizens to stay away from Arctic Thunder, portraying security screening at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson as an immigration-enforcement trap, rather than an unsurprising precaution at one of the nation’s most strategically important military installations.
Nations Law Group posted a series of increasingly urgent social-media messages Sunday claiming that non-US citizens attending the popular air show faced a “high risk of detention.”
“Anchorage, the Arctic Thunder event happening at JBER military base this weekend is NOT a safe event to attend if you are not a U.S. citizen,” the firm wrote. “We have credible information that immigration enforcement occurred at the event yesterday.”
The firm claimed that even people with pending asylum or green-card applications could be arrested and that having a work permit would not protect someone from detention.
It later escalated the warning: “We are at JBER now. All non-U.S. citizens have to pass through an ICE security station. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please do not come. There is a high risk of detention.”
A third message repeated the warning in English and Spanish, saying the firm had “personally confirmed” that every noncitizen was required to undergo screening by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
The posts offered no names, case numbers or other details about the alleged enforcement action Saturday. There was no explanation of who was reportedly detained, whether that person was legally present in the country, whether there was an outstanding warrant or removal order, or whether the encounter had anything to do with routine base-access screening.
What is publicly documented is that JBER is an active military installation with longstanding security requirements for foreign nationals.
JBER’s published base-access rules state that foreign visitors must provide passports and undergo additional vetting. The installation says every foreign national seeking ordinary visitor access must be vetted through the Air Force Office of Special Investigations or receive further approval. Those rules are intended to control access to a sensitive military facility, not to discourage lawful immigrants from attending community events.
Military security personnel are not ICE agents. The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is not ICE. Screening a foreign national before admitting that person onto a military base is not, by itself, an immigration raid.
Arctic Thunder is advertised as free and open to the public, but “open to the public” does not mean entry without security restrictions. JBER remains home to critical Air Force and Army missions, including fighter aircraft, airborne forces and major elements of America’s Arctic defense infrastructure.
The base expected as many as 200,000 people during the Aug. 8-9 open house, which features the Navy’s Blue Angels, the Army’s Golden Knights, the Air Force F-22 demonstration team and other military and civilian performers. Managing a crowd of that size inside a military installation necessarily requires identity checks, controlled entry points and heightened security.
Noncitizens should, of course, answer questions truthfully and use the designated entry line. Nations Law Group was correct to warn that falsely claiming US citizenship can carry serious legal consequences.
But that is very different from declaring that Arctic Thunder is “NOT a safe event” for every person who is not a citizen.
Lawful permanent residents, visa holders and others who are legally present in the United States are not automatically subject to arrest merely because they undergo additional screening at a military gate. At the same time, a pending immigration application or work permit does not necessarily prove that a person presently has lawful status, and people with outstanding immigration orders or other legal problems could face consequences when encountering federal authorities.
That distinction was largely missing from the firm’s alarming posts.
Nations Law Group markets itself by asking, “Immigration problems? Call us!” and advertises more than 30 years of combined experience among its immigration lawyers. Its business depends in part on people who fear immigration trouble.
8 thoughts on “Anchorage immigration lawyers stoke panic over routine security screening at Arctic Thunder Air Show on JBER”
So what? These are simply lawyers doing what lawyers do so they can make more money.
I knew a guy that practiced immigration law – admittedly some years back. I remember what he said about this clients: “They will pay ANYTHING”.
Well, if you want a clue as to how many immigrants arrive for the summer work session, keep your eyes open for van loads of them showing up for the work permits at … 7th Ave & B-Street. I worked next door, from an office above, and watched these invaders arrive daily, especially during the Biden years.
Thanks Lisa … for nuthin but treason!!!
The sky is falling, again
It should understood that, while attempting to diverting attention elsewhere, many that live amongst up DO NOT WANT enforcement of the immigration statutes. They actually WANT open borders and do not care about what that brings. Some of these folks believe that they are doing the right thing and are morally superior to those that think otherwise.
This reminds me of the left-wing judge who shuttled an illegal out the backroom door of the court in order to avoid arrest and detention by ICE. That judge went to jail and is no longer a judge. Assisting illegals is the same as “aiding and abetting” criminal activity. The immigration attorneys should be joining their clients for dinner at ICE detention facilities.
Only dinner? How about joining them on cots and then on a one-way flight with them to their country of origin. Two problems solved: illegals shipped home and fewer lawyers.
YAY- I’m glad they checked and have NO sympathy. It’s about time. More security and enforcement is needed, rewarding criminals who break the law by coming here illegally, etc., is NOT needed.