NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Sunday is one of the busiest travel days of the year.
In addition to many people catching flights home, some immigration rights activists planned protests at many airports across the country.
A group in Nashville Sunday at BNA held signs and voiced chants to get attention from travelers and people coming to pick up their loved ones.
“There are over 20 cities in the United States participating in a national protest this weekend of the airline Avelo,” said Mike Lacy, an organizer with the Nashville Boycott Avelo Movement.
Along with the Stop Avelo Coalition, Lacy is urging people to boycott the airline.
He claims Avelo has a contract with ICE to help operate deportation flights.
"We're not asking you to give money. We're asking you to not give money," Lacy said.
However, when I reached out to the company for comment about this story, they said that was not the case.
In statements from Avelo, communications manager Courtney Goff reiterated to me twice that Avelo does not have a contract with the Department of Homeland Security or ICE.
“Avelo does not have a contract with DHS/ICE and we have no idea how this false statement keeps getting publicized without any fact-checking,” Goff said.
I asked Goff if Avelo had operated flights for the Department of Homeland Security or ICE in the past and received the following response.
"We fly charters for all branches of the government as we have under multiple administrations, Biden and Trump. We do not have any contracts with DHS or ICE,” Goff said.
As for a statement on this particular protest at BNA, Goff sent the following statement.
“We recognize the right of individuals to peacefully assemble. Avelo's main priority continues to be maintaining the safety and timeliness of our operation that over 8.3 million customers across the country continue to enjoy,” Goff said.
I reached out to the Department of Homeland Security to get more clarity on this issue. I will add their response to this web article when I hear back.
Editor's Note: I heard back from the Department of Homeland Security about this story. Below is the response I received from Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin.
“This is nothing more than a tired tactic to abolish ICE by proxy. Avelo Airlines is a sub-carrier on a government contract to assist with deportation flights. Attacks and demonization of ICE and our partners is wrong. ICE officers are now facing a 1,000% increase in assaults.
“Illegal aliens that ICE is deporting broke our nation’s laws. DHS is law enforcement agency, and it will continue to carry out immigration enforcement for the safety of Americans who have been victimized by rapists, murderers, drug traffickers, and gang members.
“President Trump campaigned on immigration enforcement, the American people voted for it, and Secretary Noem is delivering.
“For illegal aliens in the country, the safest and most efficient option is self-deportation. Through the CBP Home app illegal aliens can self-deport and receive financial and travel assistance. President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message to illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW.”
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at robb.coles@newschannel5.com.
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