"Overstays had fraudulently gained access to the secure areas of all but one of the 26 airports reviewed," the report said. "Without fraud or counterfeit documents, illegal workers would not have been able to obtain these jobs and badges, allowing them access to secure areas."

The GAO said illegal immigrants working in sensitive areas are security risks because "(1) Security badges issued on the basis of fraudulent IDs constitute security breaches, and (2) overstays and other illegal aliens working in such facilities might be hesitant to report suspicious activities for fear of drawing authorities' attention."

The GAO said sweeps similar to Operation Tarmac have also been conducted at military bases, nuclear power plants, ports, pipelines, national landmarks, defense contractors and arenas hosting big sporting events such as the Super Bowl.

It published a selected list of some of those extra roundups, listing 310 people arrested. That included 79 workers involved with the Super Bowl in San Diego; 33 working on the refit of a Navy aircraft carrier; 31 working at Warren Air Force Base, Colo.; and 35 who worked at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

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