Deportation flights in the United States have surged in 2025, with record numbers reported. Airlines contracted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are now using new tactics to conceal flight details, leaving families desperate for information.
Airlines Operating Deportation Flights
GlobalX, Eastern Air Express, and Avelo Airlines operate nearly 80% of deportation flights. Many flights carry detainees to Mexico and Central America, while others move them through domestic hubs for onward international transfers.
Record Numbers Reported
Immigration advocate Tom Cartwright revealed that July 2025 saw 1,214 deportation-related flights, the highest since early 2020. Between January and July 2025, a total of 5,962 flights were recorded, reflecting a sharp 41% increase from 2024.
Concealing Flight Activity
Airlines are increasingly using the FAA’s Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed (LADD) program to hide tail numbers from platforms like FlightAware and FlightRadar24. Some even change call signs, making detainee tracking nearly impossible for families and advocacy groups.
Advocates Raise Concerns
Advocates say this lack of transparency removes accountability. Only citizen-led efforts like Human Rights First’s “ICE Flight Monitor” and groups such as La Resistencia track operations. While legal under FAA rules, such concealment raises serious questions about oversight and public trust.
