US immigration authorities reportedly use dummy call signs amid rise in secretive deportation flights

An excerpt from La Resistencia's report states: “[ICE] now does not publicly list its flights before their occurrence in an effort to limit the public’s knowledge of them. We’d like to remind the public that ICE does not list deported individuals as passengers, since otherwise they’d have to be afforded the rights which come with the title. Instead, they’re listed as cargo. Human cargo, a dehumanizing designation…”

A separate report by 12 News identifies three airlines—Avelo Airlines, Eastern Express, and GlobalX—as providing about 80% of charter deportation flights for ICE. Activist Tom Cartwright tracked nearly 6,000 such flights since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term through July, including 68 military flights primarily destined for Guantanamo Bay. Cartwright noted a significant increase—a total of 1,721 more deportation flights compared with the same period in 2024—representing a rise of approximately 41%.

Avelo Airlines has faced protests at airports where it operates after it was revealed that it would begin contract deportation flights for ICE. Public backlash may be driving efforts to keep these charters less visible despite no reported disruptive incidents at secure departure airports.

Activists with La Resistencia monitor flight activities at Boeing Field International (BFI) and Yakima Air Terminal (YKM), while communicating with detainees inside Northwest Detention Center to document regional deportation activity. Since Donald Trump took office again as president, Boeing Field has become a central hub for these operations.

Statistics compiled by La Resistencia show that departures from BFI doubled between 2024 and early 2025 under the Trump administration:

- In all of 2024: BFI had 50 departures; YKM had two.

- From January through June 2025: BFI recorded another 49 departures; YKM had three.

Spotters note operational changes such as more early morning and late night flights making up most arrivals and departures. Estimates indicate that while there were about 1,222 people deported from BFI and YKM combined in all of last year, this figure was already surpassed during just the first half of this year with around 1,342 deportations.

King County International Airport–Boeing Field remains a key location for these activities in Seattle.

King 5 News reported on observations made by La Resistencia regarding security practices on some flights. In at least two instances guards were seen using “The Wrap,” a full-body restraint device designed like a straightjacket with handhold straps intended to immobilize individuals. The group also claims data showing sick or injured detainees being removed without medical care highlights ongoing concerns about oversight of federal law enforcement actions.