As thousands of fans and tourists flock to Dallas-Fort Worth for the FIFA World Cup starting this week, a coalition of activists and faith leaders are urging Dallas residents to sound the alarm on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation flights happening in the area.
On Tuesday, members of CLEAR DFW, the Democratic Socialists of America North Texas chapter, and El Movimiento held a press conference at Cathedral of Hope—located just blocks away from Dallas Love Field—to condemn ICE activity at the airport.
Atlantic Aviation—a Plano-based company that operates at Love Field—has partnered with ICE Air to assist with immigrant deportation flights, according to findings from the coalition.
Lanie Olmo and John Putman, members of the Democratic Socialists of America North Texas chapter, said they have tracked 126 flights related to ICE activity at Love Field this year.
According to data from Human Rights First, ICE flights out of Dallas have significantly escalated under President Donald Trump’s second term, and with an average of 24 fights a month, the airport is on track to facilitate 293 deportation flights by the end of 2026.
ICE Air is a network of private corporations contracted by ICE to transfer detainees between detention centers and conduct removals through deportation flights. According to the coalition, Atlantic Aviation is a Fixed Based Operator, which means they provide hangar space, conduct repairs, refuel, and restock planes.
“It’s completely unacceptable that Love Field and the Plano headquarters of Atlantic Aviation are colluding with ICE to harm their own neighbors here in Texas,” Putnam said.
In an article for Baptist News Global published on June 1, Rev. Mara Richards Bim, a Dallas pastor and member of CLEAR, called the company “unconscionable” for advertising its services for the World Cup while partnering with ICE.
Earlier this year, Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, said ICE will play a “key part” in security for the World Cup games. Between immigration fears, increasing political tensions, high ticket prices, and visa delays, some critics are already claiming the “Trump Slump” could dampen foreign attendance at the games.
“The timing of these operations make this reality even more striking,” Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas said during Tuesday’s press conference. “This summer, Dallas will welcome visitors from around the world. We will celebrate international community, diversity, and global connection as people arrive for the World Cup and other major events. We will proudly showcase our city as a place of hospitality and opportunity. Yet at the very same time, through these very same airports, on these very same streets, within sight of celebrations, immigrant members of our community are being removed from their homes and families.”
The coalition has created a social media page, sharing photo and video evidence showing people shackled and loaded onto planes at Love Field.
“What we are asking of Atlantic Aviation is simple, and it is non-negotiable,” Olmo told the press. “Stop. Stop opening your gates, stop fueling these planes, stop facilitating the removal of our neighbors from the city. You are a Plano-based company operating on Dallas city property, and you are actively harming your own neighbors.”
“If you want to welcome World Cup visitors to your terminals, then start by being a company worth welcoming,” she added. “Until you end your contract with ICE Air, we will be here, and we will be watching.”
The group is also urging Dallas residents to join their peaceful protest on Saturday, June 13 at 11 a.m. outside of Love Field Airport on the corner of Cedar Springs Road and W Mockingbird Lane in an effort to “tell the city of Dallas and Atlantic Aviation to stop deporting our friends, family, and neighbors during the World Cup.”
“To the people of Dallas and to our city council: Yes, apparently there is some kind of contractual agreement between Atlantic Aviation and Love Field, but Love Field is owned by the city of Dallas,” Rev. Eric Folkerth said during Tuesday’s press conference. “Love Field is owned by you, the people of Dallas. Are you okay with your neighbors being harmed in this way? If not, we invite you to push your members of the city council and we invite you to push the administrators of Love Field to sever their relationship with Atlantic Aviation.”
When questioned about the flights and partnerships by D Magazine, Dallas Love Field and the City of Dallas Department of Aviation responded with this statement.
