HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has expressed his strong disapproval of Avelo Airlines’ involvement in operating charter flights for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of its controversial deportation program. In a letter sent today to the airline, Tong outlined a series of critical questions regarding the company’s decision to participate in these flights and the potential implications for Connecticut residents.
“Violent criminals should be arrested, prosecuted, and, where appropriate, deported,” said Attorney General Tong. “However, the Trump administration’s aggressive and harmful deportation tactics have unjustly targeted innocent families, including parents, students, and children. These flights are not only cruel by design but also an enormous waste of taxpayer resources. Avelo Airlines has freely chosen to profit from and facilitate this, and no business should be complicit in such practices.”
Tong’s letter, which requests a response no later than April 15, 2025, seeks clarity on several key concerns regarding Avelo’s involvement in deportation flights, including the safety and ethical treatment of passengers, particularly non-violent individuals and children. The Attorney General has asked the airline to provide detailed information about its contract with DHS and its operational policies regarding deportation flights.
Among the specific questions posed to Avelo Airlines:
- Contract Details: A request for a copy of Avelo’s contract related to its work for the Department of Homeland Security or any related agents, contractors, or subcontractors.
- Flights from Connecticut: Can Avelo confirm that it will not operate deportation flights from any Connecticut airport?
- Passenger Safety: Can the airline confirm that it will never operate flights with non-violent passengers shackled, handcuffed, or restrained in ways that could prevent their safe evacuation in an emergency?
- Restraint Protocols: Should restraint be necessary for a particular individual, Avelo is asked whether it will ensure a safe and timely evacuation strategy for all passengers.
- Shackling Children: The letter also questions Avelo’s commitment to never operating deportation flights with shackled children on board.
- Court Orders: Referring to a March 15 court ruling where a deportation flight was ordered to return to the U.S. but defied by the previous administration, Tong asks if Avelo will avoid participating in such defiant actions.
- Valid Orders of Removal: Tong seeks confirmation that Avelo will never operate a deportation flight for passengers who do not have a valid order of removal.
- Deportation of U.S.-Born Children: The Attorney General also inquires whether Avelo will avoid facilitating deportation flights for children born in the U.S., questioning the legality and ethics of such actions.
In the letter, Tong made it clear that the State of Connecticut is carefully reviewing Avelo Airlines’ business decisions, particularly its involvement in these flights, and will consider the potential impact on Connecticut’s residents in future decisions related to supporting the airline.
“No business should be complicit in unlawful and inhumane deportation practices,” Tong continued. “I urge Avelo to consider the consequences of its actions and to prioritize ethical business practices that protect all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.”
Attorney General Tong’s letter is part of a broader effort to ensure that Connecticut companies are not contributing to practices that may violate human rights or undermine the state’s values of compassion and fairness. The deadline for Avelo Airlines to respond to these inquiries is April 15, 2025.
