Southwest Airlines airplane in flight
Arrested on the Job
A Southwest Airlines plane flying in clear skies
Federal immigration authorities arrested a Southwest Airlines flight attendant while he was on the job in Nashville, Tennessee.
Agents apprehended Lorenzo Thompson, a Jamaican citizen, on July 14. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials state that Thompson had been living in the country on an expired visa.
Thompson originally entered the United States on April 17, 2021. His visa officially expired six months later, on October 16, 2021.
ICE Confirms Custody
A Boeing 737-MAX 8 aircraft painted in Southwest Airlines colors
“Against our nation’s laws, he overstayed his visa and failed to depart,” an ICE spokesperson said following the arrest.
Thompson will remain in federal custody while his immigration proceedings move forward.
The agency highlighted an existing program that offers illegal immigrants a free flight and $2,600 to self-deport. Officials warned that rejecting the offer guarantees arrest and deportation with no legal pathway to return.
Union and Advocates Push Back
A Southwest Airlines jet descending for a landing
TWU Local 556, the union representing Southwest flight attendants, confirmed Thompson’s arrest and issued a statement defending him.
“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,” the union wrote on Facebook.
The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) also voiced support. The group stated that Thompson held a valid work visa, was actively working toward U.S. citizenship, and touched many lives through his job.
Claims of a Pending Asylum Case
Immigration enforcement agents standing near a security checkpoint inside an airport
Supporters have launched an online crowdfunding campaign to cover Thompson’s mounting legal fees.
According to the fundraiser, Thompson originally fled Jamaica to escape life-threatening abuse. Advocates claim he currently has an active, pending asylum case.
“Since arriving, he has worked tirelessly to build a stable life, following every legal step toward citizenship,” the crowdfunding organizers stated.
They noted that Thompson maintains a clean record, without a single criminal charge or parking ticket to his name.
