5/26/20

By Tom Cartwright

DEATH FLIGHTS – 26 May 2020

24 flights today – 3 Deportations – Mexico (2) and Haiti 3 US Deportation Connections. 3 Deportation returns. 15 Shuffle flights in US.

Today was another busy day with deportations and shuffle flights around the country continuing to spread COVID without concern. There were at least 2 constants observed today.

-One is that there are 4 regular routes each Tuesday.

-Two is that COVID changes nothing for ICE. There are still 4 regular Tuesday routes, all just moving people from center to center.

Ø Today another deportation flight went to Haiti. A country ravaged and the poorest in this hemisphere. Unable to confront a COVID crisis with less than 20 working ventilators and very limited ICU beds. Advocates and legislators have pleaded to stop these flights.

- It was reported that there would be 78 deportees including a death squad leader, Emmanuel Constant. It was also reported that there would be 9 deportees that have tested positive for COVID.

******** As it turned out 8 of those that tested positive in the past were included in the flight including one who had symptoms last night******

How callous and totally reprehensible is that?

- Reported today was that the flight included about 30 deportees, all of whom tested negative for COVID. And, after the Haitian Prime Minister talked to our State Department Constant was not deported today. Much media attention was focused on this flight. This is why we witness, the media highlights and others advocate. Because sometimes it matters. was that the flight included about 30 deportees, all of whom tested negative for COVID. And, after the Haitian Prime Minister talked to our State Department Constant was not deported today. Much media attention was focused on this flight. This is why we witness, the media highlights and others advocate. Because sometimes it matters.

- Today there were 2 deportations to Mexico City, one from San Diego after a connection from Phoenix, and one from Brownsville. These flights carry Mexican Nationals who are expelled under the CDC order into the interior of Mexico to relieve pressure on border cities. Brownsville handles the eastern side of the border and San Diego the western side.

- We expect one more deportation flight from each city this week based on CBP comments. Initially they said these would take place through the 29th. We think they will continue after that now that the CDC order has been extended.

It is ironic and sad that it may relive pressure on border towns but Mexico City is ground zero for COVID in Mexico with many hospitals full and unable to provide care. That is where we are sending people.

- Other nationalities are still being expelled to border towns according to Border Patrol last week.

Ø COVOID continues to grow in detention centers. Confirmed COVID cases and tests performed were updated today from the weekend and holiday. 1,312 detainees have tested positive for COVID, up 111 from last Friday. 2,535 have been tested, up 141 from last Friday. 52% of those tested have been positive.

PHOTO: Brownsville/Matamoros Border Crossing Station

Here are the flights for today. The number behind the leg indicates a single individual planes path.

- BROWNSVILLE to TOLEDO – 1

- TOLEDA to RICHMOND – 1

- RICHMOND to ALEXANDRIA – 1

- ALEXANDRIA to BROWNSVILLE – 1

- BROWNSVILLE to ALEXANDRIA – 2

- ALEXANDRIA to HAITI – 2

- HAITI to BROWNSVILLE – 2

- ALEXANDRIA to PORTSMOUTH – 3

- PORTSMOUTH to LAREDO – 3

- LAREDO to ALEXANDRIA – 3

- PHOENIX to YAKIMA – 4

- YAKIMA to LAS VEGAS – 4

- LAS VEGAS to EL PASO – 4

- EL PASO to PHOENIX - 4

- PHOENIX to SAN DIEGO – 5

- SAN DIEGO to MEXICO CITY – 5

- MEXICO CITY to SAN DIEGO – 5

- PHOENIX to DENVER – 6

- DENVER to SO CALIFORNIA – 6

- SO CALIFORNIA to SAN DIEGO – 6

- SAN DIEGO to PHOENIX – 6

- SAN ANTONIO to BROWNSVILLE – 7

- BROWNSVILLE to MEXICO CITY – 7

- MEXICO CITY to SAN ANTONIO – 7

Note: ICE Air does not disclose their flights. Flight listing gleaned from public flight information, knowledge of detention center locations, air charter services and historic patterns. In rare cases, there may be a flight we miss, or include in error.