Baltimore Protesters Demand End to Avelo ICE Deportation Flights

Protesters gathered at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to demand an end to Avelo Airlines' contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation flights. Advocacy groups, including the Baltimore Rapid Response Network, Indivisible, Doctors for Camp Closure, and others, highlighted concerns over the lack of transparency and accountability in Avelo's operations, which involve a $150 million federal contract. Demonstrators urged Maryland Governor Wes Moore to terminate the partnership, citing ethical and health concerns related to the treatment of detainees during these flights. Avelo Airlines, founded in 2021 and operating limited direct flights out of BWI, began the ICE charter program in mid-May 2025, employing staff specifically for these deportation routes. The protests featured signs accusing Avelo of complicity in harsh immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration, reflecting broader community opposition to the airline’s role. The Governor's office has acknowledged the concerns and is evaluating options to ensure safety and legality of such flights at the airport.