Record Surge in ICE Air Operations This Summer
This summer has witnessed an unprecedented number of flights managed by ICE, according to reports from activists monitoring these operations. This increase aligns with the Trump administration’s intensified deportation efforts.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) collaborates with CSI Aviation, an airline broker that arranges flights with various carriers. To accommodate the rising demand, the administration has expanded the fleet by incorporating military aircraft and commercial airlines, including Avelo Airlines, which commenced deportation flights from Mesa airport earlier this year.
Tom Cartwright, a former financial executive who has dedicated the past six years to tracking ICE flights, observed a significant rise in activity starting in May. According to Cartwright, “So up until about mid-May, typically I would see somewhere in the neighborhood of eight to 12 planes each day flying for ICE Air. And then, around mid-day, that really moved up to more like 13 to 15,” he said.
Cartwright’s July analysis reported over 1,200 flights, encompassing both international deportation and domestic transfers, marking the highest monthly count he has recorded. He noted, “The only other time flights were anywhere near the level they are now was back in 2021, with the mass deportation of Haitians.”
Among U.S. cities, Phoenix is notable for its high volume of ICE flights, with 329 domestic operations originating from there this year alone.
