A Southwest Airlines flight attendant has been detained by ICE after allegedly overstaying his visa, sparking concerns from colleagues and friends about his legal status and treatment.
A Southwest Airlines flight attendant is currently in federal immigration custody following his detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after a work trip. The incident occurred on July 14 at Nashville International Airport in Tennessee, according to government officials and union representatives.
Lorenzo “Enzo” Thompson, who entered the United States from Jamaica on a six-month visa in April 2021, has been accused of failing to leave the country after his visa expired. However, this characterization has been contested by Thompson’s colleagues, friends, and union members, who assert that he has been actively pursuing legal status through an asylum application and has authorization to work.
“Since arriving, he has worked tirelessly to build a stable life, following every legal step toward citizenship,” said Kristin Foster, a friend who organized a GoFundMe campaign for Thompson. “He has no criminal record. No parking tickets.”
Edward Marq, a fellow Southwest flight attendant and member of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, expressed his shock at Thompson’s detention. “He is a union brother to me. Enzo came to America from Jamaica in 2021, applied for and received a worker’s permit, and has been with us all this time,” Marq stated.
Marq further described Thompson as a caring and friendly individual, noting the widespread support he has received on social media. “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,” he added.
In contrast, federal authorities maintain that Thompson has been living in the U.S. without authorization since his visa expired. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated, “ICE ERO New Orleans officers arrested Lorenzo Thompson, an illegal alien from Jamaica, at Nashville International Airport. 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.”
This incident occurs amid increasing scrutiny over immigration practices in the United States. A report earlier this year indicated that the DHS has issued tens of thousands of civil fines to undocumented immigrants under the previous Trump administration. Since President Trump returned to the White House approximately 18 months ago, the DHS has reportedly issued 103,000 civil fines totaling around $84 billion. As of July, the agency had collected about $1.2 billion in fine payments.
The case of Lorenzo Thompson highlights the complexities surrounding immigration status and the challenges faced by individuals navigating the legal system. As the situation develops, many are calling for a fair assessment of Thompson’s circumstances and a reconsideration of his detention.
According to CBS News, the ongoing support from the community underscores the human aspect of immigration cases, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding in such matters.