ICE Uses “Pasadena’s Airport” For Detention Transport Operations

Immigration and Customs Enforcement used Hollywood Burbank Airport for detention transport operations last week, flying detainees to San Antonio, Texas following large-scale Los Angeles raids, according to flight tracking data and witness accounts.

Freight Runners Express operated flights between Hollywood Burbank Airport and San Antonio International Airport on June 7, 2025, according to FlightAware data. Flight FRG247 departed Burbank for San Antonio, while flight FRG9506 made the return trip.

Multiple planes arrived at San Antonio airport Friday evening with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents escorting men, women and children onto charter buses, according to News4SanAntonio. One plane arrived from Denver, and a second plane landed with two charter buses awaiting on the tarmac. Seven children were transported on buses just after 6 p.m. on June 7.

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement San Antonio received routine transfer flights arriving in San Antonio June 6,” an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson told News4SanAntonio regarding the June 6-7 operations. “The aliens who arrived are in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody pending immigration proceedings.”

Reddit user Mike_VanGorder posted claims about Immigration and Customs Enforcement using Burbank Airport on June 6.

“I received a call from activists regarding buses departing from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center—recently populated by individuals apprehended in courthouses and local businesses—heading towards Burbank airport,” VanGorder wrote.

The flights followed Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles on June 7 that resulted in 44 administrative arrests, according to Al Jazeera.

David Huerta, president of SEIU California, was detained and injured during his arrest.

Pasadena maintains significant control over Hollywood Burbank Airport operations through the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority, created in 1977. The airport was formerly known as Bob Hope Airport. Pasadena holds one-third voting control through three appointed commissioners.

Current representatives include Pasadena Councilmember Jason Lyon and Councilmember Tyron Hampton, who serves as Secretary-Treasurer. Former Pasadena Councilmember Abdy Wilson also sits on the Airport Authority’s Board.

The use of charter airlines for Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention transport reflects broader current immigration enforcement trends.