Pasadena Has No Say Over ICE Flights Departing Burbank Airport, Councilmember Says

Pasadena officials say the city has no authority to stop deportation flights operating out of Hollywood Burbank Airport, after charter planes carrying immigration detainees departed for Texas following federal raids in Los Angeles last week.

The city of Pasadena shares control of Hollywood Burbank Airport through a tri-city joint powers authority with Burbank and Glendale.

“As an airport authority, we don’t have the power to stop or suspend flights,” said Councilmember Tyron Hampton who sits on the Airport Authority. “We are certified by the FAA, and our jurisdiction is limited to things like concessions and lease agreements.”

While Hampton reiterated that federal flights cannot be blocked, he noted that future lease negotiations with airlines and operators could provide a forum for community concerns.

The statement comes amid growing concern over immigration enforcement flights, after public flight data showed that Freight Runners Express operated a charter from Burbank to San Antonio on June 7.

According to News4SanAntonio, several detainees, including seven children, were escorted off planes and onto buses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents upon arrival.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement later confirmed it had received “routine transfer flights” in San Antonio tied to immigration enforcement activity in Southern California.

Pasadena appoints three commissioners to the governing Board. Currently Hampton serves as the Board’s secretary-treasurer.

Councilmember Jason Lyon also serves on the Board along with former Councilmember Abdy Wilson.

The use of the airport for immigration transport follows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on June 7 that resulted in 44 administrative arrests in the Los Angeles area, including the detainment of SEIU California President David Huerta, who was reportedly injured.

In a widely circulated post, Burbank activist Mike Van Gorder said detainees taken from courthouses and businesses were bused to Burbank Airport before the charter flight’s departure.