Southwest Flight Attendant Detained by ICE Over Expired Visa

A Southwest Airlines flight attendant is in federal immigration custody after being detained by authorities following a work trip, according to government officials and union representatives.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Lorenzo “Enzo” Thompson on July 14 at Nashville International Airport in Tennessee, according to CBS News. Online records indicate he is being detained at a correctional facility in Mississippi.

According to federal officials, Thompson entered the United States from Jamaica on a six-month visa in April 2021 and failed to depart when the visa expired.

However, colleagues, friends and union members dispute the framing of his status, noting that Thompson has been pursuing legal status through an active asylum application and holds authorization to work.

“Since arriving, he has worked tirelessly to build a stable life, following every legal step toward citizenship,” a friend, Kristin Foster, wrote in a GoFundMe campaign organized for Thompson. “He has no criminal record. No parking tickets.”

Edward Marq, a Southwest flight attendant and fellow member of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, told NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth that he was stunned by the arrest of his union colleague.

“I was shocked,” Marq said. “He is a union brother to me. Enzo came to America from Jamaica in 2021, he applied for and received a workers permit, so he applied to work with Southwest Airlines and he’s been with us all this time.”

Marq described Thompson as a well-regarded crew member and said he was entitled to a fair legal process.

“People describe Enzo as very loving, as very caring, very friendly, everyone that he has flown with has really enjoyed their flying and it is evident by the outpouring of support that I have seen on social media,” Marq said. “We’re worried about him, but it’s beyond an immigration case. It’s about a worker, it’s about a union member, it’s about a family. Everyone deserves that due process and to have their case heard fairly.”

In defense of the detention, federal authorities said Thompson was living in the U.S. without authorization after his initial stay expired.

“ICE ERO New Orleans officers arrested Lorenzo Thompson, an illegal alien from Jamaica, at Nashville International Airport,” the Department of Homeland Security told NBC 5. “Thompson entered the United States lawfully on April 17, 2021, at the Miami Port of Entry, with permission to stay for six months. Thompson never departed and remained in the U.S. illegally for five years in violation of the terms of his lawful admission.”

An ICE spokesperson told CBS News that the arrest occurred without conflict.

“Thompson was cooperative with ICE officers and taken into custody without incident,” the spokesperson said. “Cooperation of this nature helps ensure the process is conducted safely and efficiently for all involved. He will remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.”

TWU Local 556, the Dallas-based union representing more than 21,000 Southwest flight attendants, confirmed Thompson’s detention in a message to its members, stating that its legal counsel was coordinating with his family and lawyer.

“Every member deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and we are committed to ensuring this member and their family know they are not alone during this difficult time,” the union said.

The Independent has contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Southwest Airlines for comment.