Avelo’s Deportation Flights out of Mesa and the City’s 287(g) Agreement with ICE Are Destroying Communities
It's time for the City of Mesa to stop cooperating with Trump's cruel mass deportation agenda.
Mesa is currently one of the only cities in all of Arizona to have a 287(g) agreement between the Mesa Police Department and ICE. This agreement essentially turns local law enforcement into ICE agents. 287(g) agreements are notorious for encouraging racial profiling, undermining public safety, and leading to expensive lawsuits for local governments -- risks that are even greater under Trump.
Avelo Airlines is a small Houston-based airline that used to fly casino charters; it rebranded in 2021 as a low-cost commercial carrier. It flies out of ~50 US airports and 4 international tourist destinations. In April 2025, Avelo announced a $150 million contract to fly deportation flights for ICE out of the Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona.
Upcoming Actions
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https://actionnetwork.org/events/ice-out-of-mesa-september-22-city-council-meeting/
This is a critical moment! Speak up for the safety of everyone in Mesa by joining us and our partners at the Mesa City Council meeting.
We'll meet outside City Hall beforehand. We will send out talking points in advance for those interested in speaking. If you're not interested in speaking, please come anyway -- we need to pack the room and show our unity and solidarity!
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September 27th - Action Network
Travelers flying into and out of Mesa Gateway Airport need to know that Avelo Airlines is contributing to human rights violations by continuing to fly deportation flights that separate families and deprive lawful residents of due process.
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