U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) flights transferring migrants out of Colorado to other U.S. cities have nearly doubled since 2024, according to a new nationwide report by Human Rights First. Advocates warn the increase is separating migrants from their families and legal support, making it harder for them to defend their immigration cases.
The findings have reignited protests and renewed scrutiny of airlines operating ICE flights from Colorado, particularly out of Denver.
What Happened
Human Rights First reports that ICE domestic transfer flights departing Colorado rose sharply between 2024 and 2025. In 2024, 74 ICE flights left the state. In 2025, that number jumped to 122 flights, with 119 departing from Denver.
Most of these ICE flights transferred migrants to cities such as Las Vegas, El Paso, and Phoenix, where they were moved to detention centers or deportation facilities. Advocates say many migrants placed on these flights are not told where they are being sent, creating confusion and distress.
“These flights are taking people away from their communities, their families, and their attorneys,” said Savi Arvey, a researcher with Human Rights First. “Every single month has been kind of a record month for these domestic transfer flights.”
Who Is Involved and Why It Matters
Migrant rights advocates in Colorado, including Yoselin Corrales of Aurora Unidos CSO, say the increase in ICE flights is directly affecting asylum seekers and others navigating complex immigration cases.
“That really affects whether or not they’re able to follow through with their asylum case,” Corrales said. “Or whether they’re able to apply for asylum at all.”
Corrales and other advocates have been protesting airlines contracted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to carry out immigration enforcement flights, arguing that these companies are profiting from policies that destabilize migrant families.
Airlines, ICE, and Flight Operations
While Key Lime Air is based in Colorado and has faced protests, Human Rights First says Avelo Airlines has carried out most of Colorado’s ICE flights, primarily from Denver.
Avelo Airlines founder and CEO Andrew Levy said in a statement that the decision to operate ICE charter flights followed “significant deliberations,” adding that the work provides financial stability and helps keep more than 1,100 employees working.
Key Lime Air CEO Cliff Honeycutt said the company respects the right of individuals to protest and share their opinions.
ICE, meanwhile, declined to validate the Human Rights First data, stating that the organization is external and that ICE cannot verify its methodology. The agency also said it does not release flight information for safety and security reasons.
Independent Monitoring and Data Dispute
Human Rights First tracks ICE flights through its ICE Flight Monitor project, which is based on nearly six years of independent tracking by Tom Cartwright, a former JPMorgan executive turned migrant advocate.
According to the organization, the monitoring effort cross-references flight data with public records, media reports, and trusted partner observations to ensure accuracy.
ICE has countered that detainees are transferred for operational reasons, including capacity, security, and logistics. Advocates argue those explanations fail to account for the human impact.
“People sometimes don’t even know where they’re going,” Arvey said. “They’re taken far away from family and attorneys.”
Public and Community Reactions
Opposition to ICE flights has grown among advocacy groups across Colorado. Protesters have demonstrated at airports and called on airlines to stop participating in deportation and transfer operations.
Groups like Aurora Unidos CSO have also met with Centennial Airport leadership and an Arapahoe County commissioner to raise concerns. Airport officials say they are committed to continuing discussions with advocates.
On social media, the issue has drawn strong reactions, with supporters emphasizing immigrant rights and critics questioning the scale and transparency of ICE flight operations.
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Official Statements or What Happens Next
Human Rights First expects ICE flights out of Colorado to continue increasing in the coming months. Advocates say they will keep monitoring flights, protesting airline involvement, and pushing for policies that allow migrants to remain closer to their communities while their cases proceed.
“We want to make sure people can stay within their networks and get the support they deserve,” Corrales said.
ICE has maintained that transfers will continue as needed and that flight details will remain undisclosed for security reasons.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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