Forty House Democrats have expressed “grave concerns” over the Trump administration’s secretive deportation flight program, demanding the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) address allegations of mistreatment and inhumane conditions on ICE charter jets. In a letter shared with the Guardian, the lawmakers called for “urgent transparency” regarding the expanded use of commercial airliners to transfer detained immigrants.
The letter, addressed to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, cited credible reports that individuals were placed on flights without notice to counsel or family, effectively disappearing from public view when flights were shielded from tracking systems. “Families are left searching for their loved ones, and attorneys are denied meaningful opportunities to intervene, raising serious due process concerns,” the letter stated.
The lawmakers referenced a Guardian investigation based on leaked flight data, which revealed routine violations of constitutional rights during deportations. The reporting also highlighted abuse allegations at a private detention centre in Alexandria, Louisiana, a key hub in the deportation programme. Human rights groups monitored an 84% increase in ICE flights during 2025 compared to 2024.
The Trump administration has previously dismissed claims of hidden or weaponized flights as “categorically false” and argued its detention centres have “higher standards than most US prisons”. However, the letter noted that information on ICE flights is nearly impossible to find, undermining congressional oversight and public understanding.
The lawmakers requested a detailed report on all ICE air operations since President Trump took office, including flight origins, destinations, and passenger numbers. They also addressed reporting by the Associated Press, which revealed that dozens of charter jets were granted unusual FAA permission to block data, including tail numbers, from public flight tracking sites. The letter called for information on how the FAA assesses humanitarian conditions on flights, including the use of full body restraints, and how this affects emergency procedures.
Lead author Representative Rob Menendez of New Jersey said, “This transparency is important for the American people to understand what is happening every single day because there are so many violations of due process and legal rights happening that if people knew about them they would find it deeply problematic.” Other signatories include Representatives Jasmine Crockett, Delia Ramirez, and Jerry Nadler.
