Commercial Airlines Should Not be a Tool for ICE

A grassroots advocacy campaign led by airline 

workers to end deportations on commercial flights

About De-ICE the Airlines

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.

Sign the Petition

One of many tools we are using to increase awareness, build solidarity, and promote empowerment.

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Media

MSNBC daytime television show featuring 'Morning Joe' with a red striped background and a logo with the show's title and the MSNBC peacock logo.
Blue circle next to the text 'USA TODAY' in bold black letters.

As featured on:

Yahoo News logo with purple text on white background.
FOX 5 Washington DC logo on a blue background.
Text reading 'The Tennessean' on a white background.
Orange background with black text stating 'Refuse Fascism!', and white text below reading 'RefuseFascism.org'.
Logo with a raised fist inside a blue shape and text that says "Indivisible Chicago Northwest."

Is your group interested in hearing more about this effort? Send a meeting request here.