Purpose:

De-ICE the Airlines is a grassroots advocacy group dedicated to ending deportations on commercial airlines. The approx. 30,000 daily commercial flights operating in the US should be for consumers and cargo, not a tool for ICE.

Mission:

De-ICE the Airlines is calling for commercial airlines, particularly the big four US air carriers — American, Delta, Southwest, and United — to discontinue and disallow all ICE bookings for deportations.

Who:

De-ICE the Airlines is a coalition of compassionate advocates and activists who are committed to protecting airline passengers, respecting aviation workers, and defending the humanity of migrants.

Precedent:

In 2018, airline unions, immigrant advocates, and the public joined together in calling on commercial airlines to refuse the family separation policy — and it worked! Find their press statements here. In 2025, we can do it again with your help.

Loophole:

Though most commercial airlines discontinued contracts with ICE in 2018, ICE personnel are now booking independently online and using those seats for deportations — without formal contracts. Given the complex protocols in place when these deportation flights occur, airlines are clearly aware and involved in the coordination.