ICE Air's Sloppy, Dangerous Deportation Flights Plagued by Safety Lapses
Nov 17, 2025
Country of origin: Mexico

Internal documents reveal conditions on Avelo Airlines' deportation flights for ICE. Incidents include hazardous materials being loaded onto planes, flight attendants being prevented from conducting required safety checks, shackled migrants unable to evacuate in emergencies, and long mechanical delays leaving detainees trapped on aircraft. A cabin pressure emergency on November 13 injured six people on board.
Sources
- Inside ICE Air: Flight Attendants on Deportation Planes Say Disaster Is “Only a Matter of Time”
ProPublica·Apr 1, 2025·archived copy
propub.li·Apr 1, 2025·archived copy
omahadailyrecord.com·Apr 7, 2025·archived copy
- ICE Air’s Sloppy, Dangerous Deportation Flights - The American Prospect
prospect.org·Nov 17, 2025·archived copy
prospect.org·Nov 17, 2025·archived copy
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