They call to boycott Avelo over its ICE deportation flight contract.
By Brice Claypoole
Original Air Date: August 20, 2025
Host: As the Trump administration’s deportation efforts are unfolding, so are protests. Brice Claypoole reports about a local action coming up this weekend.
“Do you really want to fly on the deportation airline for ICE? Boycott Avelo” and “Stop Avelo human trafficking,” read two demonstrators’ signs
Brice Claypoole: Immigrants rights advocates will gather this Saturday, August 23, across from the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. They’re calling for people to boycott Avelo Airlines, a budget airline company that has recently been catapulted to national attention. In April, the company signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to fly deportees to a variety of destinations. The move is generating controversy amid the Trump Administration’s aggressive program to deport undocumented immigrants.
Amanda Just, Vice President of Engagement with the Democratic Women’s Club of Sarasota, says the company shouldn’t be involved in an effort that has been marred by accusations the government is denying immigrants due process.
Amanda Just: Due process is a right for all people in this country. We’re seeing that not being applied to undocumented people. It’s unfair, it’s unjust, it’s unconstitutional and it could happen to anybody. If they’re already snatching people off the street who are doing the right things or are even here legally, what’s gonna stop them from going after anyone else?
BC: Avelo CEO Andrew Levy, however, says that while deportations are “sensitive and complicated,” the DHS contract was the right choice for his business and will benefit the company’s over 1,000 employees.
Avelo is offering seasonal flights to Sarasota from its hub in New Haven, Connecticut and Philadelphia. The airline is not operating any deportation flights out of Sarasota.
“Boycott Avelo; no deportations without die process.” Photo by Mason Chambless
Meanwhile, the movement against Avelo continues nationwide. A Change.org petition calling to boycott the company has picked up nearly 40,000 signatures. Just, who’s been involved in organizing similar protests since spring, says she expects several dozen people to turn out for the event on Saturday, 5 p.m. on University Parkway, across the street from the airport entrance.
The protest is jointly organized by El Pueblo Unido Tampa Bay.
For WSLR News, this is Brice Claypoole.
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