Protesters at Burbank Airport have gathered in force, demanding a boycott of Avelo Airlines over the company’s involvement in deportation flights.

The demonstration, which took place in front of the airport’s main terminals, was a powerful statement against the airline’s role in facilitating deportations of undocumented immigrants.

Avelo Airlines, a relatively new carrier offering low-cost flights across the U.S., has recently been linked to a series of deportation flights, igniting widespread outrage among activists and members of the immigrant community.

The protesters, consisting of immigrant rights advocates, local residents, and activist groups, held signs and chanted slogans calling for the company to end its participation in deportation operations.

Many participants argued that Avelo Airlines, by assisting in deportations, is contributing to the disruption of families, the violation of human rights, and the criminalization of immigrants.

For them, the airline’s involvement is seen as not just an operational choice but an endorsement of the federal government’s controversial immigration policies.

The protest was organized by a coalition of local advocacy groups, including the Burbank Immigrant Justice Coalition, the Los Angeles Immigrant Rights Alliance, and others.

These organizations have long fought against the deportation practices that they argue disproportionately affect communities of color.

The protestors are calling for a nationwide boycott of Avelo Airlines until the company terminates its participation in deportation flights and reconsiders its stance on immigration-related contracts.

While the protest was largely peaceful, tensions were high as demonstrators shouted their demands to passersby and airport workers.

They argued that Avelo’s involvement in deportations highlights the need for broader accountability in the private sector, questioning why airlines and other companies should be complicit in carrying out policies they view as harmful to vulnerable populations.

Some protestors even called for a larger boycott of all airlines that participate in deportation flights, signaling that Avelo was not alone in the controversy.

The issue of deportation flights has been a contentious one in the U.S. for many years. Under the Trump administration, the federal government expanded the use of private contractors, including airlines, to carry out deportations of individuals who had been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

While the Biden administration has taken steps to roll back some of these aggressive deportation practices, deportation flights continue to be a significant aspect of U.S. immigration policy.

Avelo Airlines, which began operations in 2021, has been under the microscope recently due to its alleged role in facilitating deportations. The airline primarily operates domestic flights, providing low-cost services between cities across the U.S.

While the company has attempted to position itself as an affordable travel option for everyday Americans, its connection to deportation flights has raised questions about its ethical practices.

Activists argue that by participating in deportation flights, Avelo is complicit in what they see as a harmful, unjust system that disrupts lives and tears apart families.

In response to the protest and increasing public pressure, Avelo Airlines issued a statement defending its actions, stating that it follows all applicable laws and government contracts.

The airline clarified that it was merely fulfilling a contractual obligation with the U.S. government, similar to how other private companies are involved in government transportation services.

According to Avelo, they are committed to providing safe, reliable, and affordable transportation services, and their participation in deportation flights is not an endorsement of the policies but simply an operational requirement.

The company’s response has done little to quell the anger of protestors, many of whom are demanding that the airline take a stronger ethical stance.

They argue that corporations have a responsibility to align their business practices with their values and that continuing to assist in deportations is incompatible with the values of justice, compassion, and human dignity.

Several activists have pointed out that while Avelo may claim to be merely following government contracts, other companies, including some in the travel industry, have taken a stand against participating in such operations.

Many of the protesters at Burbank Airport are members of immigrant families who have experienced the trauma of deportation firsthand. For them, the issue is deeply personal.

Stories of parents being separated from children, families torn apart, and individuals being sent back to countries where they face violence or persecution were shared throughout the day. These testimonies underscored the emotional weight of the demonstration, with protestors urging the airline to rethink its role in these operations.

The situation in Burbank mirrors a larger national debate about the ethics of private companies participating in immigration enforcement. While airlines like Avelo are not the only ones involved, their role has become a lightning rod for criticism.

Human rights organizations, legal advocates, and immigrant groups argue that companies have the ability to refuse such contracts, pointing to other industries that have successfully chosen not to work with ICE.

These organizations stress that businesses can be a force for positive social change and that standing up for human rights should take precedence over profits.

In addition to calls for a boycott, the protestors have also pushed for further legislative action to limit the role of private companies in deportation flights.

State and federal lawmakers sympathetic to the cause have introduced bills aimed at restricting the transportation of deported individuals by private airlines. These bills call for greater transparency in deportation processes and would require airlines to disclose details of government contracts related to immigration enforcement.

By shining a light on these operations, activists hope to build a larger public consensus that private companies should not be complicit in deportation practices.

The protest at Burbank Airport also served as a reminder that the fight for immigrant rights is ongoing and that public pressure can have significant impacts on corporate decision-making.

In the past, protests like this one have led to boycotts, policy changes, and a reevaluation of business practices. Whether or not Avelo Airlines will change its approach remains to be seen, but the protest has undoubtedly brought the issue of deportation flights to the forefront of public consciousness.

For now, the protestors at Burbank remain resolute in their demand for justice. While Avelo Airlines has defended its actions, activists are determined to continue raising awareness about the harm they believe is being caused by deportation flights.

With the ongoing protests and the increasing public scrutiny of companies involved in immigration enforcement, this issue will likely continue to gain traction as part of the broader conversation on immigration reform in the U.S.

The call for a boycott of Avelo Airlines is just one chapter in the larger movement for immigrant rights, but it’s clear that these protests are a sign of growing frustration and resistance.

The question now is whether Avelo and other companies will continue to stand by their government contracts or whether they will heed the call for change in the name of human dignity and justice.