ICE arrested Southwest Airlines flight attendant Lorenzo Thompson in Nashville on July 14, saying in the Southwest flight attendant immigration case that he overstayed his visa and failed to leave after entering the United States on April 17, 2021. Thompson, a Jamaican citizen, is now in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.
The arrest put a named Southwest Airlines employee at the center of an immigration case that turned on dates, not broad allegation. Thompson’s visa expired on Oct. 16, 2021, and ICE said he remained in the United States after that point.
TWU Local 556 and LCLAA
TWU Local 556 confirmed the arrest and said, “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,” a statement that puts Thompson’s family inside the fallout as the custody case moves forward.
The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement said Thompson “had a valid work visa and was a dedicated flight attendant, touching countless lives with his kindness.” The group also said Thompson was working toward obtaining U.S. citizenship, while an online crowdfunding page said he left Jamaica seeking safety from life-threatening abuse.
ICE custody and immigration proceedings
ICE said, “Against our nation’s laws, he overstayed his visa and failed to depart. He will remain in ICE custody pending his immigration proceedings,” and added, “We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream,” followed by, “If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”
For Thompson, the immediate consequence is custody while immigration proceedings continue. For Southwest Airlines flight attendants represented by TWU Local 556, the case now sits at the intersection of workplace arrest, visa status, and a legal process that will decide whether Thompson stays in detention or gets a different outcome under immigration law.
