Over 100 ICE detainees stranded on tarmac at New Hampshire airport during blizzard
Feb 25, 2026·Location: Portsmouth, NH
Country of origin: Bulgaria

A charter flight carrying more than 100 ICE detainees landed at Portsmouth International Airport in New Hampshire around 1 a.m. on Monday, February 24, 2026, for a scheduled refueling stop before continuing to Bulgaria. The airport received only 15 minutes' notice of the arrival. A severe nor'easter with winds up to 35 mph and temperatures around 22 degrees prevented the aircraft from being towed to the terminal. Detainees remained on the tarmac for approximately 12-13 hours before being moved to a terminal around 2:45 p.m., where they were provided food, water, restrooms, medication, and welfare checks. The flight departed Tuesday morning after weather conditions improved and flight crew rest requirements were satisfied, landing in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Timeline
Sources
- 100 ICE detainees stuck at Portsmouth airport for hours during storm
unionleader.com·Feb 23, 2026·archived copy
unionleader.com·Feb 23, 2026·archived copy
unionleader.com·Feb 23, 2026·archived copy
unionleader.com·Feb 23, 2026·archived copy
- ICE deportees reportedly held on N.H. tarmac for more than 12 hours during storm
bdc2020-php8.boston.com·Feb 25, 2026·archived copy
- Plane with ICE detainees on tarmac at New Hampshire airport for more than 12 hours
WCVB·Feb 24, 2026·archived copy
KETV·Feb 24, 2026·archived copy
- Plane with ICE detainees sits on NH tarmac for more than 13 hours
WCVB·Feb 23, 2026·archived copy
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