Under the Trump administration, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of deportation flights being operated. I’ve written before about the logistics of these, as they’re largely operated by private airlines. They’re quite unpleasant for flight attendants, as the reality of working these flights is different than what they signed up for when they pursued this career.
There’s another interesting angle to this, as there’s a group of government workers who don’t seem too jazzed about working these flights either…
In this post:
200 air marshals reassigned to deportation flights
In the United States, we have the federal air marshal program, whereby select flights have (undercover) air marshals. Air marshals are part of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). It’s largely a pretty nice gig, since they often fly first and business class, and their primary job is basically to just not sleep.
However, some air marshals have been been put on special assignment. Specifically, around 200 air marshals have been reassigned from their usual duties to instead working ICE deportation flights.
On these flights, air marshals are acting as security officers, serving sandwiches, checking for lice, and even cleaning planes. I can imagine that going from flying first class on transatlantic flights to checking shackled passengers for lice probably isn’t the best job transition…
Politics aside, I don’t think anyone would disagree that this is a significantly less pleasant job. I suppose the argument could be made that some air marshals might feel like they’re acting with more purpose in this role and “serving the country,” assuming they’re fans of Trump’s deportation efforts.
This program is controversial with air marshals
We’re getting mixed signals from air marshals regarding how they feel about these flights. Officially, the TSA of course claims that air marshals are proud to carry out this work, releasing the following statement:
“TSA’s Federal Air Marshals are proud to support our ICE colleagues by providing in-flight security functions for select flights. This new initiative is part of the interagency effort to support the President’s declared national emergency at the southern border.”
A government document about this program claims that this has “not impacted Federal Air Marshals’ deployment on domestic and international flights to assess, address, and mitigate varying potential risks and threats to transportation and travelers.”
Meanwhile the Air Marshal National Council, a lobbying group for federal air marshals, has filed a complaint with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector general’s office, warning that this mission could “undermine aviation and national security and expose federal officers to unsafe and improper working conditions.”
Beyond how politically polarizing the volume of deportation flights is, I don’t have a strong take on this. I think the concept of federal air marshals on commercial flights is quite unnecessary at this point, and they don’t have much to show for the success of the program. Over the years, we’ve seen hundreds of air marshals arrested for misconduct while on the job.
So it doesn’t seem unreasonable that they’d also be assigned to work these flights, where they’re at least doing more to “protect the skies,” or whatever.
Bottom line
Around 200 federal air marshals have been reassigned to ICE deportation flights. As you’d expect, this hasn’t exactly proven popular with many air marshals — they’re used to traveling on commercial flights (often quite comfortably), while now they’re essentially acting as flight attendants and security guards on deportation flights.
Why oh why did you have to bring politics to this site? All I want to know is how many miles I will receive with my new credit card?
Sometimes you are the .........
When you work for the US Government, you do as your told. Break US law (illegal entry) face the music.
Why is a xenophobic, convicted felon and predator in the White House ?
I'm reminded of a sign at my favorite redneck bar.
"Don't start none, won't be none."
At least they are marginally useful on those trips, rather than being a total waste on commercial flights.
"Over the years, we’ve seen hundreds of air marshals arrested for misconduct while on the job."
Really? That's astounding if it's true. What's the source for this?
I could give a tinker's damn about some bureaucrat's feelings...just do your job and move on.
Exactly what millions of people do everyday without pissing and moaning.
Ciao
So they’re being taken away from their intended purpose - providing safety for the traveling public - to carry out Trump’s agenda of removing brown people from the country…
So they’re being taken away from their intended purpose - providing safety for the traveling public - to carry out MAGA’s agenda of removing brown people from the country…
The main concern is that the Air Marshals are not flying armed. I think many of them would not mind if they were able to perform their duties as they would normally. It's extremely costly. With the Air Marshals not being armed, then you take away much of their special training. You could replace them with active duty military if all you need is big strong guys to scare the detainees or walk up and...
The main concern is that the Air Marshals are not flying armed. I think many of them would not mind if they were able to perform their duties as they would normally. It's extremely costly. With the Air Marshals not being armed, then you take away much of their special training. You could replace them with active duty military if all you need is big strong guys to scare the detainees or walk up and down the aisles to hand out food and drinks. You end up having to pay these guys per diem, a lot of overtime, and pay for their hotels while they are detailed out to the locations.
Who cares? You get a nice federal job with benefits to simply fly around on planes with thoroughly screened and possibly restrained passengers.
The same people who want illegals to be their childcare and agriculture slaves are infuriated that a TSA agent has to fly coach and provide their safe deportation. Liberalism is a mental disorder.
How about paying the air Marshalls by each lice they confiscate !
I voted for this and love it! Back to Mexico they go!
"Over the years, we’ve seen hundreds of air marshals arrested for misconduct while on the job..."
Over the years, has there ever been a documented or credibly-witnessed case of an air marshal actually intervening during an in-flight incident?
You run a steady stream of trashy clickbait stories about drunk lunatic assholes acting out on planes in flight. In every case, it seems passengers have to tackle the creep and wrestle him/her to the floor, then...
"Over the years, we’ve seen hundreds of air marshals arrested for misconduct while on the job..."
Over the years, has there ever been a documented or credibly-witnessed case of an air marshal actually intervening during an in-flight incident?
You run a steady stream of trashy clickbait stories about drunk lunatic assholes acting out on planes in flight. In every case, it seems passengers have to tackle the creep and wrestle him/her to the floor, then a flight attendant brings the zipties. I don't recall EVER reading a single account of an air marshal performing (or even contributing to) such duties. Have they ever? Has anyone ever seen them do that? Sincere questions.
Bad shit always happens in coach. Marshall ain’t going to leave First Class to go look.
So they're pulling armed security off of high-risk international flights, and turning them into low-rent stewardesses on Con Air?
This will not end well.
High-risk international flights?
That is funny. Drama much.
Exactly what flights are “high-risk” flights in a post-9/11 world with the kind of surveillance capabilities that would make God jealous? We’re far less safe at the pickleball courts than we are on a plane.
Resign...don't work then, I'm sure there are thousands of racist white guys who are willing to do this as volunteers in the name of supporting Trump. He's lowered the standard for hiring to next to nothing already, so I'm sure these jobs are opened to anyone who can utter the word "Trump".
How do I apply?
By the same principle, I assume these same Air Marshalls complained under Biden about transporting migrants into the country with incoming flights?
I think it’s cleaning a toilet that pushed them over the edge.
@Chris
I'll take "Things that never happened" for $500 please. In reality, the air marshals who complained under Biden were complaining about being taken off flights and deployed to the southern border to assist CBP.
For context, record numbers of migrants were attempting to cross the southern border between 2022-23 because the US had the fastest economic recovery from COVID. We were fully employed already, so jobs and opportunity was plenty, not to...
@Chris
I'll take "Things that never happened" for $500 please. In reality, the air marshals who complained under Biden were complaining about being taken off flights and deployed to the southern border to assist CBP.
For context, record numbers of migrants were attempting to cross the southern border between 2022-23 because the US had the fastest economic recovery from COVID. We were fully employed already, so jobs and opportunity was plenty, not to mention things like Haiti essentially collapsing, the Ukraine invasion, and Venezuela's internal issues also causing people to try and immigrate. This required expansion of CBP and the immigration court system, and Biden did this while also making asylum rules stricter. Illegal immigrant encounters at the southern border peaked in late 2023, and steadily declined all through 2024 and 2025. Hell, Biden also deported more people in 2021 alone that Trump did from 2017-2020. But you won't give him that credit because it doesn't fit your world view.
Every country in the world has immigration laws, but it seems like only Commonwealth nations are expected to ignore theirs. No one bats an eye when countries like China or Japan deport Westerners, yet when the US or UK enforces their immigration rules, it’s labeled racist and insensitive.
Just because our nation is blessed with diversity and isn’t racially homogenous doesn’t mean we should be expected to open our borders to the entire world. The...
Every country in the world has immigration laws, but it seems like only Commonwealth nations are expected to ignore theirs. No one bats an eye when countries like China or Japan deport Westerners, yet when the US or UK enforces their immigration rules, it’s labeled racist and insensitive.
Just because our nation is blessed with diversity and isn’t racially homogenous doesn’t mean we should be expected to open our borders to the entire world. The current administration’s actions on immigration are not only justified—they are long overdue. We need to seal the border and deport those who aren’t here legally, regardless of whether or not they are hardened criminals.
Keep in mind, the liberals who support open borders primarily see these people and their children as future voters. Believe me, if one million upper-middle-class white men with conservative values were entering the country each year, they would be the first to demand deportations.
Totally agree that we should enforce our laws. But, then we need to have an honest conversation.
Many of the very people funding and fanning the anti-immigration flames are the very people
Who benefit by paying child care, landscaping, housekeeping, culinary, transportation and other gig services under the table. They know these people will bust their rears to get the job done. Meanwhile these people clutch their pearls and get the vapors about...
Totally agree that we should enforce our laws. But, then we need to have an honest conversation.
Many of the very people funding and fanning the anti-immigration flames are the very people
Who benefit by paying child care, landscaping, housekeeping, culinary, transportation and other gig services under the table. They know these people will bust their rears to get the job done. Meanwhile these people clutch their pearls and get the vapors about all those drug-dealing, murderous immigrants.
If you want to have a conversation about enforcing immigrations laws let’s start with a conversation about what we need and want our immigration policy to achieve and how the laws flow from that. Otherwise, it’s just politics and not policy.
China & Japan are not Commonwealth countries. The UK, India, Canada, Ghana, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia are examples of Commonwealth nations. There are a total of 56 nations that form the Commonwealth, with 14 of these nations referred to as ‘Realms’, which are nations in addition to the UK that have His Royal Highness King Charles III as the head of state. In each of these 14 ‘Realms’, the king is represented by a local...
China & Japan are not Commonwealth countries. The UK, India, Canada, Ghana, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia are examples of Commonwealth nations. There are a total of 56 nations that form the Commonwealth, with 14 of these nations referred to as ‘Realms’, which are nations in addition to the UK that have His Royal Highness King Charles III as the head of state. In each of these 14 ‘Realms’, the king is represented by a local minister known as a Governors-General (or similar) who provides advice to the King on local matters, which allows the King to exercise constitutional governance if required.
It’s such a shame America is no longer under British rule.
Is it provided for in their job description? If so, then this is what they signed up for. Don't like it? Quit.
Am I happy this administration is getting rid of thugs and criminals? Yes. Those that aren't be sure to let the Trump administration how many you'd like to take in.
@George by your logic, any job description with the caveat “other duties as assigned” would make it a part of their job description.
Totally get it, you’re conservative and support all of this. Fair enough. But, let me ask you this, if the military, ICE, DHS and law enforcement were deployed to support enforcement of very strict interpretations of gun possession legislation how would you feel?
I’m going to guess more than one thing on your body would pucker.
Now that there are few immigrants in the fields picking our food, can ICE be reassigned to 'field' duty? same with meat packing.
Seems incredibly stupid to employ Federal Air Marshals as flight attendants, but what else should we expect from this dumpster fire of an admin.
They are there for security.
As for this admin... it speaks for itself.
If the Air Marshalls are not happy with their new duties, they are welcome to resign. This is voted millions of Americans including myself have voted for. Hoping that we see even more deportation flights (and Air Marshalls working them) in the months ahead.
In about 18 months tens of millions of Americans will vote. If they vote to toss all of this out are you willing to accept that? Or, are you going to claim that elections were rigged, stolen?
If you’re willing to be an adult we can have the conversation about all of this, because that’s what we do in a democracy. If you are going to line up behind the notion that any election...
In about 18 months tens of millions of Americans will vote. If they vote to toss all of this out are you willing to accept that? Or, are you going to claim that elections were rigged, stolen?
If you’re willing to be an adult we can have the conversation about all of this, because that’s what we do in a democracy. If you are going to line up behind the notion that any election lost is a rigged election we don’t share a common framework through which to have a conversation.
LMK.
I am proud to say that I voted for Hillary, Joe, and Kamala and treated Mango Mussolini as the sick joke he is. I want an air marshal protecting me in the air, not serving as a glorified stewardess on deportation flights. Whatever you want, I don't care. If you want to take up arms against us, please do so. I'd love to be in a situation where I can kill rednecks legally.
What is so controversial about removing people who should not be here? All of these illegals are a slap in the face to those of us who came to this country the LEGAL WAY
My father came here the “legal” way. My face does not feel slapped in any way as a result of an undocumented person coming to America to work in a job that helps make my life better.
There is a HUUUUUUUGE difference between deporting a violent criminal and deporting a dishwasher who works 100 hours a week and keeps to himself so he can send money home to provide for his family. Huge difference.
That is the debate. That’s what you are trying to gaslight.
Because:
A. Many of them are here legally.
B. Many of them were not given due process as required under the constitution.
Because:
a. NO THEY WEREN'T...the moment any of them overstayed their legal visa, they were then ILLEGAL.
b. You need to actually go back and read the Constitution and what due process applies to instead of parroting some talking point you heard online.
@Steve
First, do you deny that people with valid green cards, US citizenship are being detained by ICE? Do you deny that people with legal status, like Abrego Garcia's witholding of removal or people currently in the asylum system were renditioned to El Salvador? Facts aren't on your side here.
Second, if you can be arrested by the federal or state government, the Constitution's protections apply. Citizenship/immigration status does not change the protection given...
@Steve
First, do you deny that people with valid green cards, US citizenship are being detained by ICE? Do you deny that people with legal status, like Abrego Garcia's witholding of removal or people currently in the asylum system were renditioned to El Salvador? Facts aren't on your side here.
Second, if you can be arrested by the federal or state government, the Constitution's protections apply. Citizenship/immigration status does not change the protection given by the Constitution. You cannot quote the line and verse where the Constitution says only legal residents have rights, because it doesn't exist. Nowhere in the 4th, 5th, 6th, or 8th amendments does it say ANYWHERE that you must be a citizen or have legal immigration status. Because before 2016, elected leaders generally understood that if you have a legally defined two-tier justice system, that makes it easier for the government to oppress people on pretext alone.
Use your head for one freaking minute. You're arguing for a system where ICE can just not validate that you're a legal resident (what they're doing now), and under that pretext throw you in a cell and then deport you without you ever calling a lawyer or your family ever finding out where you are.
@Dusty
Don't be dramatic.
Bad cases are exceedingly rare compared to the good work ICE has been doing.
Since ICE is apparently the only federal agency capable of doing good work and arresting people, why not have them go to the DOJ, and get Blondi and Cockeyed Kash to release the Epstein files and then arrest and deport all the high-ranking pedos to El Salvador without any due process too!
Thank you. Always nice to start the day with a laugh.
My friends who work in mental health would say this could cause “moral distress” for the air Marshalls.
Discuss.
It's funny how you mention how flight attendants and air Marshalls 'feel' while working these flights. Since when, how you 'feel' is relevant when performing your job? If you don't like it, find a different job. In reality how you 'feel' is irrelevant, that's why it's called a job.
You seem to be disconnected from the two largest generations in the workforce. Everything is about how they feel.
Whole Air Marshall program should have been DOGE'd out of existence. It provides zero value and costly.
And any idiot who spouts "TDS" is more brainwashed than anyone they claim suffers from it.
The problem is the paranoid TDS-DS people.
Yes they're trying to take your guns away.
Because even an addict who lost a laptop can buy guns and get away with it.
Seeing all the TDS posts here makes me laugh...like anyone REALLY cares about your politics here, whether it be left or right.
Bunch of keyboard tough guys spewing catchphrase labels.
Calm down, bot.
Does...not...compute...
"Politics aside..."
With this fascist republican government there is no 'politics aside'. Absolutely EVERYTHING that has brought this once great country down has been 100% avoidable.
Just wait til Project 2026!! Don’t give yourself a mental health crisis, this is only the 1st 6 months!
ICE ie Trump’s Schutzstaffel now has a bigger budget than the Italian military.
ICE was deporting more under Obama….control your hysteria!
Easily avoidable if lunatics don't allow 20M foreigners into your country. Too bad we now have to pay so much to clean the mess up.
Lunatics. You mean republicans. You’re treating families and children like scum. Americans are all descendants of immigrants bar the indigenous population who are mostly ignored. Most work, study and pay tax.
You’re vilifying brown people whilst most crime is committed by Caucasians. Indeed deport criminals. There will be karma. Fascist government.
@Syd
We let in a lot more in the 1800s-1900s. Those immigrants ended slavery, built the transcontinental railroad, built our first skyscrapers, and manned the factories and shipyards that delivered victories in both World Wars. This is an immigrant country, and has been from the beginning. Even if you only go by foreign-born people as immigrants and exclude 2nd or 3rd generation children, immigrants have made up a larger share of the US population...
@Syd
We let in a lot more in the 1800s-1900s. Those immigrants ended slavery, built the transcontinental railroad, built our first skyscrapers, and manned the factories and shipyards that delivered victories in both World Wars. This is an immigrant country, and has been from the beginning. Even if you only go by foreign-born people as immigrants and exclude 2nd or 3rd generation children, immigrants have made up a larger share of the US population in the years 1860-1920 than at any point prior until 2015.
But when you intentionally sabotage the immigration system so that people trying to come here legally have to wait 10-20 years to actually immigrate thanks to the green card lottery system, it's not really surprising that the more desperate pay coyotes and the more affluent overstay their visas. To be clear: a vast majority of these people would have been allowed in if not for our immigration system specifically limiting the amount of green cards that can go to one specific nationality each year. They've done the paper work, they've passed the background check, but they have to play the lottery annually and only get in if they win. That's messed up and un-American.
And some of those immigrants raped and murdered little girls and boys. I suppose you don't care about that though.
San Marino or Monaco's police force probably has a bigger budget than the Italian military.
@derek
I realize you may be a little tongue in cheek here, but the Italian Navy alone is a pretty capable force, operating multiple small carriers and LHDs. They were escorting ships along with the French, UK, and US navies in the Red Sea when the Houthi first closed it. I can't speak for their other military arms because I have no knowledge of them, but navies aren't cheap and Monaco and especially San Marino aren't even close in terms of expenditure.
Childish arguments and opinions don't matter anymore. Trump is the response to the problem you've created.
@Syd
The left didn't create this problem. People have agency. The people coming here choose to do so despite the risks because they don't consider waiting 10-20 years to be a valid option. The right's electeds CHOSE to ignore this and refused every attempt at immigration reform, because the immigration crisis plays well for them politically and their rural business owner constituents love undocumented labor. They also know full well the southern border is...
@Syd
The left didn't create this problem. People have agency. The people coming here choose to do so despite the risks because they don't consider waiting 10-20 years to be a valid option. The right's electeds CHOSE to ignore this and refused every attempt at immigration reform, because the immigration crisis plays well for them politically and their rural business owner constituents love undocumented labor. They also know full well the southern border is impossible to fully police, as remote and inhospitable as many parts of it are, but they still pretend that all we need is a wall to secure it. It's a special kind of stupidity targeting the credulous and incurious.
Meanwhile the right's "thought leaders" sell a Blood and Soil narrative pushed by fearmongering fascists like Stephen Miller, using that as an excuse to deploy the military against US citizens and turn ICE into a paramilitary arm loyal to them. The right's voters are the ones that claim that everything the government does is about extending its control, but then they stick their collective heads in the sand when the US government imprisons legal residents in a foreign gulag and does everything they can to deny any control over those people. They ignore that citizens and legal green card holders are getting hauled off to a black site in Florida and denied access to legal counsel so that they can't challenge their detention. This violates the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th amendments of the Constitution.
This should scare the living daylights out of you, because if the government can play jurisdiction shell games with the courts for illegals, legal visa holders, or brown US citizens, they sure as hell can do it to your white ass too.
"They should be grateful for even HAVING jobs! DO WHAT YOU'RE TOLD!"
-RWNJs
We found a dinosaur stuck in WW2.
This generation, they are grateful to play video games all day and having NO jobs. DO NOTHING.
-House speaker.