ICE Air Deportation Flights Face Scrutiny Over Shackled Migrants and Restraint Use.

New reports are renewing intense scrutiny of the conditions for migrants aboard "ICE Air" deportation flights. These flights are part of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aviation program. The program largely relies on private charter companies and contracted security personnel.

Allegations of Inhumane Conditions

Migrants have reported being kept in full restraints for long periods during transit. This includes limited access to basic necessities like food, water, and restrooms. One high-profile case involved Melissa Tran, a Maryland mother of four. She was deported to Vietnam in November 2025 after living in the U.S. for over three decades. Her lawyer stated that Tran and other deportees were shackled throughout the two-day journey.

Civil rights advocates argue that the combination of full-body restraints, long flight times, and restricted movement creates degrading conditions. An October 2025 Associated Press report highlighted ICE’s use of a full-body restraint device known as the WRAP during deportations. Deportees and attorneys claimed some individuals were restrained for many hours, even when they were not violent.

ICE policy documents confirm the use of restraints during transport. The agency states its air operations focus on safety and security. ICE's policy dictates that restraints should be used only as a precaution against escape, for medical reasons, or to prevent injury. The policy explicitly prohibits using restraints to punish a detainee. An ICE Air Operations handbook specifies that detainees should not arrive in restraints that need to be removed before boarding. The agency claims detainees are offered food and water based on flight length. However, a 2025 investigation by ProPublica found that private guards control access to these necessities. This arrangement limits the power of flight attendants over detainee treatment.

The Role of Private Aviation Contractors

The controversy has brought attention to the private aviation industry supporting these removals. Omni Air International is a key charter airline operating government missions. Omni Air International is a subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group (ATSG).

ATSG was acquired by investment firm Stonepeak in April 2025. Public flight data suggests Omni's ICE work quadrupled in the eight months following the Stonepeak acquisition. This rapid expansion highlights the growing reliance on private contractors for mass deportation operations.

Escalating Scale of ICE Air Operations

The overall scale of the "ICE Air" program is expanding. The Human Rights First's ICE Flight Monitor project tracked record levels of flight activity in late 2025. Data shows a significant increase in both removal flights and domestic transfer flights. ICE removal flights were up 41 percent under the current administration, according to Human Rights First.

As of December 2025, the administration had arrested over 328,000 people and deported around 327,000. The growing scale makes independent oversight and clear documentation essential, advocates say. The conditions on these flights present a significant challenge for the aviation companies involved. They must balance security protocols with human rights concerns.

Industry Impact and Oversight

The aviation industry faces growing pressure for transparency. Airlines like Omni Air International must navigate complex government contracts. These contracts often involve strict security measures and long-haul flights. The scrutiny affects the corporate reputation of all entities involved, including Stonepeak and ATSG. Watchdog groups urge greater transparency from ICE and its private contractors. The use of private security and charter aircraft creates an opaque system. This complexity makes independent monitoring of detainee welfare difficult.

• Risk: The use of full-body restraints for non-violent detainees creates legal and ethical risks for aviation contractors.
• Challenge: Balancing strict security protocols with international human rights standards on long-duration flights is a major operational challenge.
• Impact: Increased public and media scrutiny affects the brand reputation of airlines and investment firms involved in government missions.

Trusted commercial aviation news and airline industry reporting are available at flying.flights.

Discover how innovation is shaping aviation through aircraft systems, avionics, and digital tools at flying.flights/technology.