In recent years, there has been a rise in activism against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and their deportation practices. As part of this movement, activists are now targeting the airline industry, specifically Avelo Airlines, for their involvement in ICE’s deportation flights. These activists are calling on blue-state governments to stop subsidizing Avelo and to take a stand against the inhumane treatment of immigrants.
Avelo Airlines, a relatively new budget airline based in California, has been operating since April 2021 and has quickly gained a reputation for its involvement in deporting immigrants for ICE. According to a report by The Intercept, Avelo has been responsible for operating around 10% of ICE’s deportation flights from the United States. This has sparked outrage among immigrant rights activists, who are urging blue-state governments to stop subsidizing the airline and to take a stand against the atrocities being committed by ICE.
It is no secret that the United States has a long history of mistreating immigrants, and the actions of ICE and the airlines that collaborate with them only add to this ongoing issue. As activists have pointed out, Avelo Airlines receives subsidies from blue-state governments, despite their involvement in these controversial and unethical deportation flights. This raises the question – should states be financially supporting an airline that plays a key role in ICE’s harmful practices?
The outcry against Avelo and ICE’s collaboration is not unfounded. The New York Times reported that these deportation flights have become notorious for their inhumane treatment of immigrants, with many facing abuse, neglect, and even death during their journey. The Guardian also revealed that some deported immigrants have been subjected to excessive force by ICE agents, with incidents of physical and sexual abuse being reported.
In light of these disturbing revelations, activists have launched a campaign to put an end to Avelo’s participation in these deportation flights. They have called on blue-state governors to take a stand and stop the flow of subsidies to the airline. The hope is that by cutting off Avelo’s financial support, they will be forced to reconsider their involvement in ICE’s deportation practices.
These calls have been met with some success, as several blue-state representatives have stated their opposition to Avelo Airlines’ actions. In Washington state, Governor Jay Inslee has expressed his concern over Avelo’s role in ICE’s deportation flights, stating, “We can’t be complicit in an airline that is aiding and abetting these inhumane practices.” In California, where Avelo is headquartered, Governor Gavin Newsom has also spoken out against the airline’s collaboration with ICE.
However, despite these statements, no concrete action has been taken to stop subsidizing Avelo Airlines. This has led many activists to question whether blue-state governments are truly committed to ending these harmful practices or simply paying lip service to the cause.
The involvement of blue-state governments in subsidizing Avelo also highlights the hypocrisy of the Democratic party. As The Intercept’s report points out, Democrats have been vocal in their criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, yet they continue to financially support an airline that enables those same policies to continue.
It is time for blue-state governments to take a stand and show their commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status. This can start by cutting off subsidies to Avelo Airlines and sending a clear message that they will not tolerate airlines that participate in ICE’s inhumane deportation practices.
In the larger scheme of things, the call to stop subsidizing Avelo is not just about one airline’s involvement in ICE’s deportation flights. It is about sending a message that the mistreatment of immigrants will not be tolerated, and those who enable these practices will face consequences. As Governor Inslee stated, “We must use every tool at our disposal to put pressure on those who are profiting from human misery.”
It is time for blue-state governors to take a bold and decisive stance against Avelo Airlines and ICE. By refusing to support the airline, they can show their commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of all individuals, including immigrants. It is a moral imperative for them to do so, and we must hold them accountable for their actions.
In conclusion, the call to stop subsidizing Avelo Airlines is not just a demand for change, but a plea for humanity. As long as blue-state governments continue to financially support the airline, they are complicit in the in
