Overview
- During a Jan. 21 Wayne County Airport Authority meeting, activists urged officials to stop ICE-related flights using Willow Run and Detroit Metropolitan airports and delivered extended public comments.
- Human Rights First’s flight tracking shows frequent ICE charters from Willow Run in 2025, with local reports citing tallies ranging from 88 to more than 165 flights, many routed to detention hubs in Harlingen, Texas, and Alexandria, Louisiana.
- The authority stated it has no role in airlines’ agreements with federal agencies if legal and safety standards are met, and an aviation attorney noted the airport cannot discriminate against users due to federal obligations.
- ICE Air Operations includes chartered and commercial movements; a 2025 federal contract shows broker CSI Aviation arranging carrier partners, and recent partners have included Eastern Air Express and Key Lime Air.
- Avelo Airlines said it would no longer operate DHS deportation flights after public backlash, while some local coverage cautioned that activists’ flight counts have not been independently verified.