Menendez, Crockett, and Ramirez Call for Investigation, Demand FAA Stop Helping ICE Hide Secret “Ghost Flights”

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressmembers Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), and Delia Ramirez (IL-03) are leading a group of 32 colleagues in demanding that the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") work with Congress to stop allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") to hide deportation flights from the public.

The Representatives expressed alarm that ICE is misusing the FAA's Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed ("LADD") program-a privacy tool meant for private, non-commercial aircraft-to keep ICE's deportation flights secret from both the public and Congress. The letter also raised alarms regarding inhumane conditions on these flights, particularly concerning the use of full body restraints such as the WRAP for prolonged periods of time and the lack of evacuation plans for individuals in restraints.

"ICE operates in near secrecy, avoiding congressional oversight and making it almost impossible for families to track their loved ones and our casework teams to track our constituents and give them the help they need," said Congressman Menendez. "We are demanding the FAA work with Congress to expose ICE's abuse of FAA programs and safety conditions on board deportation flights because our neighbors deserve to feel safe and be treated with basic decency."

"Immigration enforcement agencies should not be able to operate in the shadows while families are left searching for answers about their loved ones," said Congresswoman Crockett. "Earlier this year, I introduced the TRACK ICE Act to crack down on these so-called 'ghost flights' and restore transparency and accountability to immigration enforcement operations. Reports of ICE abusing FAA privacy programs to shield deportation flights from public scrutiny - alongside deeply disturbing accounts of inhumane conditions on these flights - demand immediate oversight and answers. I'm proud to join my colleagues in demanding answers from the FAA and pushing for greater transparency and accountability in these operations."

"There are so many painful examples of DHS's abuses and brutality that cannot be refuted. The reported use of cruel and inhumane tools -- like the Wrap -- to oppress, torture, and injure immigrants during flights should've raised alarms all over the Federal Aviation Authority," said Congresswoman Ramirez. "As members of Congress, it is our obligation to conduct oversight, especially when other agencies and departments turn a blind eye to violations of our rights that put us all at risk."

"Since President Trump took office in January 2025, we have seen a drastic increase in ICE's air operations. From January 20 to December 31, 2025, deportation flights increased by 84 percent compared to the same period in 2024, largely due to IAO's expansion of subcontracted charter flights carried out by companies such as GlobalX, Eastern Air Express, Avelo Airlines, World Atlantic, Eastern Air, OMNI Air, Kaiser, and Key Lime Air," the Members wrote. "This intentional shift towards industrialized, large-scale deportation through a network of private contractors makes accountability increasingly difficult to enforce. Concerningly, information regarding these flights is nearly impossible to find, which undermines congressional oversight and prevents the public from understanding the scope and conditions of these flights."

"These concerns are compounded by numerous accounts of inhumane and inadequate safety conditions on IAO flights, including prolonged restraint, inadequate access to food and water, lack of medical care, and unsanitary environments," the members continued.

"ICE's deportation flight program underpins the Trump Administration's aggressive and dangerous enforcement agenda," the Members concluded. "The FAA has an obligation to ensure these operations do not occur beyond the reach of safety standards, transparency, and accountability. We urge you to swiftly bring these operations into the light and work with Congress to ensure oversight of ICE's air operations. Thank you for your attention to this matter."

The Members are demanding answers to specific and detailed questions which can be viewed in the letter.

Joining Menendez, Crockett, and Ramirez on the letter are Congressmembers Becca Balint (VT-AL), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Chuy García (IL-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Sam T. Liccardo (CA-16), Betty McCollum (MN-04), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Christian D. Menefee (TX-18), Kwesi Mfume (MD-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Emily Randall (WA-06), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Dina Titus (NV-01), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

Since coming to Congress, Rep. Rob Menendez has been a leader on fighting for immigrant rights. Menendez has called for the end of ICE and led efforts to demand that ICE agents identify themselves when conducting enforcement operations. Earlier this year, Menendez was on the ground in Minnesota for a field hearing, listening to the testimony of victims of ICE and DHS's abuses and state and local elected officials. Last year, Reps. Menendez, Watson Coleman, and McIver were conducting legal oversight at the Delaney Hall detention facility when they were confronted by over 20-armed ICE and HSI agents in an incident that gained national attention.

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