A group stops for lunch at the bottom of Lower Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)When is Park Service staff checking a visitor’s citizenship status? Advertisement“National Park Service staff are not checking immigration status, citizenship, or residency beyond what is necessary to confirm eligibility for a specific entrance fee or pass,” said Elizabeth Peace, an Interior Department spokesperson. AdvertisementGelatt said she doesn’t believe National Park Service staffers will share a person’s resident or citizenship status with ICE. The National Park Service staff has been reduced by 24% since January of last year, which means fewer fee collectors and IT specialists who are needed as the new fees are implemented, Pierno said.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 14, 2026 20:06 UTC