U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement just targeted a Southwest Airlines crew member at Nashville International Airport. This marks the second high-profile immigration bust on the airline's property this week. Just days ago, Aero Saga reported on ICE pulling a traveler off a Southwest jetway at Denver International Airport for an expired visa. And now, the enforcement has moved from the passengers to the crew.
Originally from Jamaica, Lorenzo Thompson was detained at Nashville International Airport on July 14 by New Orleans Enforcement and Removal Operations officers. Per a GoFundMe fundraiser set up for Thompson, he is a "dedicated Flight Attendant" for "a beloved airline."
In a statement, ICE said Thompson lawfully entered the U.S. on April 17, 2021. He had permission to stay in the country for six months. However, Thompson never departed. He remained in the U.S. illegally for five years, violating the terms of his lawful admission.
Thompson was taken into custody without incident and will remain in ICE custody pending his immigration proceedings, the agency said. Kristin Foster, a friend of Thompson's, set up a fundraiser to support him through the detention process, as has been the case in multiple other ICE detention cases.
According to Foster, Thompson came to the United States from Jamaica, "seeking safety from life-threatening abuse." "He holds a valid work permit, has no criminal record, no parking tickets," the fundraiser said. The goal is to raise $48,000 for Thompson and, as of the time of this article, $45,638 has been raised.
