U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Southwest Airlines flight attendant while he was at work on July 14, according to confirmation from the Department of Homeland Security.
DHS told Fox News that Lorenzo Thompson, an illegal alien from Jamaica, entered the United States on a visa on April 27, 2021, that was set to expire on October 16, 2021. Officials said he overstayed the visa and failed to depart.
Details of the Arrest
ICE took Thompson into custody at Nashville International Airport on July 14 while he was working as a flight attendant for Dallas-based Southwest Airlines. An ICE spokesperson told CBS News Texas that Thompson entered the U.S. from Jamaica on a six-month visa in 2021 but never departed.
“Thompson was cooperative with ICE officers and taken into custody without incident,” the ICE spokesperson said in a statement. “He will remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.”
Union and Advocate Responses
Thompson’s union, Transport Workers Union Local 556, which represents more than 21,000 Southwest Airlines flight attendants and is based in Dallas, acknowledged the arrest. In a statement, the union said it has been in communication with Thompson’s family and legal counsel.
The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) criticized the arrest. The group stated that Thompson has no criminal record, holds a valid work visa, and “was following every legal step toward citizenship.”
Southwest Airlines has not issued a public statement on the matter as time of publication.
Background
According to ICE, Thompson’s original visa authorized a temporary stay that ended in October 2021. Federal officials described him as an illegal alien who overstayed that authorization. Advocates and the union maintain he has been pursuing legal pathways, including a claimed valid work authorization and asylum application.
Current Status
Thompson remains in ICE custody. DHS confirmed he will stay detained while his immigration proceedings continue. No additional details on the location of his detention or a scheduled hearing date have been released by federal authorities.
Those proceedings typically determine whether an individual is ordered removed or granted relief such as asylum or other forms of status. His legal counsel, the union, and family are coordinating on next steps, according to union statements.
No criminal charges beyond the immigration matter have been reported.
Provided by Dallas Express
