U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flights transferring migrants from Colorado to other U.S. cities are set to nearly double by 2024, according to a new nationwide report from Human Rights First. Advocates warn that the increase is separating migrants from their families and legal aid, making it harder for them to defend their immigration cases.
The findings have reignited protests and renewed scrutiny of airlines operating ICE flights out of Colorado, particularly Denver.
What happened
Human Rights First reports that ICE domestic transfer flights departing from Colorado increased sharply between 2024 and 2025. In 2024, 74 ICE flights left the state. In 2025, this number will increase to 122 flights, of which 119 will depart from Denver.
Most of these ICE flights transferred migrants to cities like Las Vegas, El Paso and Phoenix, where they were taken to detention centers or deportation facilities. Advocates say many migrants placed on these flights are not told where they are being sent, causing confusion and distress.
“These flights are taking people away from their communities, their families and their lawyers,” said Savi Arvey, a researcher at Human Rights First. “Every single month has been like a record month for these domestic transfer flights.”
Who is involved and why it matters
Immigrant rights advocates in Colorado, including Yoselin Corrales of Aurora Unidos CSO, say the increase in ICE flights is directly impacting asylum seekers and others dealing with complex immigration cases.
“It really impacts whether or not they’re able to pursue their asylum case,” Corrales said. “Or whether they are able to apply for asylum.”
Corrales and other advocates are protesting airlines contracted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to operate immigration enforcement flights, arguing that these companies are profiting from policies that destabilize migrant families.
Airlines, ICE, and flight operations
While Key Lime Air is based in Colorado and has faced opposition, Human Rights First says Avelo Airlines operates the majority of Colorado’s ICE flights, primarily from Denver.
Andrew Levy, founder and CEO of Avello Airlines, said in a statement that the decision to operate ICE charter flights was taken after “significant deliberation”, adding that the work provides financial stability and helps keep its more than 1,100 employees employed.
Key Lime Air CEO Cliff Honeycutt said the company respects the right of individuals to protest and share their opinions.
Meanwhile, ICE refused to validate Human Rights First’s data, saying that the organization is external and ICE cannot verify its methodology. The agency also said it does not release flight information for security reasons.
Independent monitoring and data disputes
Human Rights First tracks ICE flights through its ICE Flight Monitor project, based on nearly six years of independent tracking by Tom Cartwright, a former JPMorgan executive turned migrant advocate.
According to the organization, the monitoring effort cross-references flight data with public records, media reports and reliable participant observations to ensure accuracy.
ICE has countered that detainees are transferred for operational reasons, including capacity, security and logistics. Advocates argue that these explanations fail to take into account human impact.
“People sometimes don’t even know where they’re going,” Arvey said. “He has been taken far away from family and lawyers.”
Public and community reactions
Opposition to the ICE flights has grown among advocacy groups across Colorado. Protesters demonstrated at airports and called on airlines to stop participating in deportation and transfer operations.
Groups such as Aurora Unidos CSO have also met with Centennial Airport leadership and Arapahoe County Commissioners to express concerns. Airport officials say they are committed to continuing discussions with advocates.
On social media, the issue has drawn fierce reaction, with supporters emphasizing immigrant rights and critics questioning the scale and transparency of ICE flight operations.
#ICEflights #ColoradoImmigration #MigrantRights #ICETransfers #BreakingNews
Official statement or what will happen next
Human Rights First expects ICE flights from Colorado to continue increasing in the coming months. Advocates say they will continue to monitor flights, oppose airline involvement and push for policies that allow migrants to remain close to their communities while their cases proceed.
“We want to make sure that people can stay within their networks and get the support they deserve,” Corrales said.
ICE has said transfers will continue as needed and flight details remain unknown for security reasons.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
