ICE detentions at airports spark backlash against Southwest Airlines

ICE detentions at airports spark backlash against Southwest Airlines after a viral video showed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detaining a woman at the gate while she attempted to board a Southwest flight in Colorado. The incident involved Chantal Rojas, and the moment was viewed more than 1 million times online. The article says Dallas-based Southwest faced criticism, with some travelers discussing cancellations and boycotts. Southwest responded that passenger information is available to the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security through the federal screening process, and said it complies with applicable state and federal law. DHS stated Rojas is from Ecuador and overstayed a visa that expired in January 2025, while her attorney said she filed proper paperwork before expiration and stayed with authorization as her immigration case was pending. Fundraising also grew for Rojas and for Southwest flight attendant Lorenzo Thompson, arrested at Nashville International Airport on July 14.