Roughly 200 Federal Air Marshals, traditionally charged with safeguarding commercial air travel, are now reportedly assigned to ICE deportation flights, according to a CNN report published Thursday.
According to CNN, the deployment began in June, with marshals serving on chartered flights operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to transport detainees both domestically and internationally.
Sources told the outlet that marshals on ICE flights are performing a range of duties beyond traditional law enforcement—tasks, including checking detainees for lice, managing trash, and cleaning aircraft, sometimes while unarmed.
Critics warn that this redeployment could dilute federal preparedness aboard commercial passenger flights, potentially impacting aviation security. The Air Marshal National Council, representing rank‑and‑file marshals, has sent a cease‑and‑desist letter to DHS and TSA, arguing the new assignments may amount to contract fraud and place personnel in unsafe or inappropriate working conditions.
As these deployments continue through mid‑ and late July 2025, internal memos reportedly authorize reassignment of up to 250 marshals, within a broader force of 2,000–3,000 total.
Air marshalls shifting to deportation duty? It’s part of a recurring US national deep dive to the bottom - what the US occasionally does and have done throughout history - a symptom of a refusal to become fully and permanently. civilized. Anyone who finds that hard to believe should visit a WWII Japanese American internment camp where US citizens were held without cause other than for their ethnic origin. How dare we discipline ourselves to learn the lessons of history.
‘…performing a range of duties beyond traditional law enforcement—tasks, including checking detainees for lice, managing trash, and cleaning aircraft, sometimes while unarmed.’
Back in the day we always looked for ways to ‘enhance’ one’s resume through any skills or semi-related education we might have done.
Something tells me we won’t find these new duties anywhere on their resumes.
Why we continuously tolerate this madness will eventually define us for the world to see. Tony left his heart in San Francisco, I sure wish I knew where we left our Fortitude as a nation.
It truly pains me to see how many people in this country are completely blinds to the truth of what is occurring in our country. They could not be more unaware of the fact that freedom and democracy are essentially in checkmate.
ICE is more than just a federal agency tasked with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it is a military police force that is growing at an exponential rate, and it’s ultimate purpose will be to police American citizens as martial law becomes a normal fixture in this hopeless, doomed society. They are hiring tens of thousands of new agents, many of whom have military backgrounds.
These thugs will crush dissent with absolutely no regard for the rights that were once granted to us by the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights… and they will not be accountable to anyone other than the Executive branch of government.
I’m nearly 50 years old, and never before have I felt oppression so strong that it is literally affecting my physical health. Getting out of bed is a task that I absolutely loathe, and I count the hours until I can once again lie down and go back to sleep where I can escape this hell, even if just for a moment.
If ignorance is bliss, a huge percentage of the population must be quite blissful. Sometimes it feels like a curse to be keenly aware of the ultimate agenda of the insanely powerful, infinitely wealthy owners of this world. Sometimes I pity the individuals who believe that elected officials are actually in control of anything of consequence in this country. Some of us can clearly see through the crumbling veil of lies that form the foundation of the average citizen’s worldview. Those of us who are not bound by fear, but by an unquenchable desire to know the truth, realize the gravity of the unprecedented situation we are in, but the time to implement solutions passed us by long ago.
Our neighboring countries, who used to be our most loyal allies, now want nothing to do with us whatsoever because they have been treated in an unforgivably atrocious manner by the malignant creatures who are at the helm of this quickly sinking ship.
I’m both sickened and amused by the fact that so many people believe that irrational and dangerous policies being implemented at the executive level will bring manufacturing back to the United States. Anyone who is both intelligent and educated are well aware that such a thing is not possible given the current geopolitical climate in which we live. I’m beginning to believe that manufacturing will return to the United States, but the work will be compulsory, as the only feasible way to build affordable products in the US is to use forced labor. ICE is already amassing a captive group of future involuntarily laborers, and they have just begun the occupation of the US…
Wickedness has engulfed the benevolent “land of the free”…
I’m grateful for one thing however: I have no wife or family, as I never married because my fiancée passed away shortly before our wedding day nearly three decades ago. I could not bear to watch people I love suffer, as evil creatures celebrate as their satanic goals come to fruition.
Ah, the world of aviation. Air marshals being shifted to deportation flights feels like another slide backward—another moment where security roles get twisted into political tools. Deportations aren’t just logistics; they’re terrifying and humiliating for many.
And yes, this fits a long pattern of state power used to punish, not protect. We’ve seen it before: internment camps, deportation sweeps, family separations. Same mindset, new packaging.
Vayuwings said it well too. Having trained marshals checking for lice and cleaning planes isn’t mission flexibility—it’s mission rot.
And what really sticks is the silence from the Air Marshals’ union. Are they okay with this, or just keeping their heads down?
Tall trees are the first to get chopped… Ah, the brave new world of madness. When Supreme court judges sit and read/write judgements day in/day out perhaps a bit of physical therapy along the same lines but with somewhat more sensitivity should be written into the job description such as cooking, cleaning, housing and counseling homeless and disenfranchised folks for a day or so per week. Old English naval tradition calls for the junior member of a ship’s crew to have the status of Captain one day each year. Who knows, this might be a step in the right direction. When the safety of the public is jeapordized with added irrelevant tasks the focus is lost and the effort is wasted. Dumb move. Fix it.
So, i guess since our Air Marshalls are being reassigned to Head Lice Inspection, and Trash Removal, that must mean our skies are safe again, right?
I know I would hate to be on a plane that got hijacked, and it be one, where instead of a Air Marshall, it has the assistant manager of Hector’s HeadLice Emporium.
Maybe it’s me, but i would feel safer knowing the Air Marshall, somewhere in the flight with me, was 100% focused on keeping the skies safe, not wondering how he was going to get the smell of casserole and baby diaper out of his clothes.
If you need a janitor, hire a damn janitor.
Leave the Air Marshall’s alone. They are just fine where their at.
You really believe either team cares about the Constitution? Executive and Legislative branches have usurped thousands of powers. Madison the primary writer of the Constitution said that the powers of the federal gov were FEW and DEFINED while the powers of the States are NUMEROUS and INDEFINITE.
I applaud this temporary shift in resources to solve a crisis that was dumped on this nation over the last 4 years. The crying of the unions of “that’s not my job” prima donnas falls on deaf ears here. We all must remember why we are in need of this unprecedented action, the conscious action of some to flood the nation overloading resources from financial, housing, education, etc.
Besides the great points that others here have already stated here, apparently OPSEC has gone out the window as well.
I agree. Hijackers are much more of a threat than immigrants. Already, our National Guard and other military assigned to these duties are complaining about nothing to do. Keep aviation safe and may America always be the refuge for the poor and oppressed - the strong people who want the freedom we have and are willing to work hard to get it.
ICE got a tenfold increase in funding on Trump’s last bill voted in by republicans. Ever hear of the Brownshirts?
Pjsowe, As a retired career aviation professional and lifetime member of our proud union that represents the best Air Traffic Controllers in the world I am dumbfounded by your horribly uninformed and petty statements.
It’s your prerogative to disagree with “Pjsowe”, of course, but I don’t see how ATC figures into this. I happen to agree with him.
Meh, hijackers threaten an airplane. “Immigrants” (which is an abominable misnomer - they’re NOT) threaten our entire country. Which threat is worse?
This story is like a strong wind that blows through my woods and previously invisible nuts fall out of the trees and on to the ground.
The last administration did their best to run the USA into the ground with open borders and free flights from other countries to bring them in on the tax payer dime. The current one is taking appropriate measures to undo the damage. If you want to blame or point fingers, be sure you remember the facts of how we got here.
This strikes me as a misuse of resources that does little to solve the problem. Nothing new for the current administration. If you want to really curtail illegal immigration, enforce the laws that require US employers not to hire them. That would reduce the problem by 30-40% within a few years. CFIs have to make sure they are not providing training to foreign nationals without proper credentials. It is a bit of a pain but not that big a deal. Attack the cause of the problem not the symptoms.
New rule.
Those who voted for this administration and its insanity have to follow their rules. Those of us that are continuing to be proud Americans, but not under this administration. Do not have to follow these insane rules.
Amen, Robert Congress has become a group of whimpering babies afraid of their shadows.
The brownshirts are growing in strength every day, led and nurtured by their moronic leaders.
So will that also be the rule also when a Democrat is in the White House? Checking for intellectual honesty here.
Why not just use the military to conduct these deportation flights? Trump has sent the military into cities and they are also participating in border security, so why not this too?
I’m seeing more and more content on AvWeb from Ryan and others employed by Firecrown, which owns AvWeb, all the other former Belvoir publications and virtually every other general aviation publication. So for fellow AvWeb readers, here is how Firecrown describes itself:
Firecrown: The Category King in Affluent Enthusiast Media and Commerce
Firecrown reigns supreme as the category king in the affluent enthusiast community, setting the standard for how luxury hobbies and lifestyles are enhanced through an innovative content-to-commerce model.
We cater to those who combine a deep passion with the financial means to indulge in high-end pursuits like aviation, marine, astronomy, hobbies, and more. Our approach transcends mere luxury; it’s about connecting with those who seek quality, expertise, and exclusivity.
Understanding the affluent enthusiast market reveals a group of individuals driven by a desire for authenticity, deep engagement, and innovation within their hobbies. They value products and experiences that have a story, heritage, or superior quality. These enthusiasts actively participate in communities, valuing brands that offer tailored, exclusive experiences.
They exhibit curiosity, a love for learning, and a drive for achievement within their hobbies, prioritizing spending on experiences that enrich their pursuits. Their involvement is deep-rooted and ongoing, and they are key in driving or supporting innovation within their passion areas.
They seek the best and value the story or craftsmanship behind their purchases. They cherish being part of select groups, enjoying the exclusivity of their experiences. They actively contribute to and seek out communities where they can share, learn, and innovate.
Their education drives a pursuit of deep knowledge and mastery in their interests, and they possess the resources to invest in high-quality, exclusive elements of their hobbies, from luxury items to unique experiences.
Our audience has significant disposable income, enabling them to deeply invest in their passions. They are typically well-educated, with a thirst for continuous learning and mastery in their areas of interest. There are approximately 26 million affluent enthusiast households in the US, with over $1 million in net worth, holding more than $47 trillion in assets.
No kidding…
So many of us are waiting to learn what on gods orange planet may have happened to the former AVweb crew.
Thanks Bob, that’s quite the dime-store club we’re in. I didn’t realize.
Now, with a new spring-in-my-step, I think I’ll change my homebuilt’s name from wayfarer to Plutus!
But no amount of sweet-talkin will ever get me to paint it orange…
We don’t have “a few years” to see if the problem would be solved (unlikely) in this manner.
Robert: “Anyone who is both intelligent and educated are well aware that …”
For educated, try:
‘anyone is … aware that’
While Iran and Russia are looking for targets in the US.
Clever.
Get out and vote against the Trump while you can.