Federal immigration enforcement flights have resumed at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, sparking fear and concern among immigrants and advocates in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As of late July 2025, multiple ICE flights have landed at the airport, raising questions about transparency and the impact on local communities.
On July 29, 2025, an ICE Air flight arrived at Portsmouth International Airport at about 9:15 a.m. This event marks the continuation of the airport’s use as a transit point for transferring and deporting detainees. Local news outlets and advocacy groups have reported a sharp rise in anxiety among immigrants in Portsmouth and the surrounding Seacoast region. Many worry about increased enforcement and the lack of clear information about who is being transported or removed.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the renewed ICE flights at Pease have led to a climate of fear. Immigrants are avoiding public spaces, skipping work, and staying away from essential services because they fear being detained or deported. Community organizations and local officials have voiced their concerns, calling for more transparency from federal authorities about the operations at the airport.
Portsmouth International Airport at Pease has a long history as a joint-use airport, serving both commercial and military flights. Over the past decade, ICE has used Pease for detainee transport and deportation flights, often with little or no advance notice to the public or local officials. There was a noticeable lull in ICE flight activity in early 2024, but this changed in mid-2025 with a sharp increase in flights, matching broader federal immigration enforcement efforts.
City and county officials in Portsmouth have expressed frustration about the lack of information from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. They have asked for details about flight schedules, passenger lists, and the reasons for removals, but have received few answers. Community advocacy groups, including the local ACLU chapter and faith-based organizations, have condemned the flights and called for more oversight and support for families affected by these operations.
Paul Brean, the executive director of the Pease Development Authority, recently commented on increased military activity at the airport due to unrelated training exercises. However, there has been no official statement from the airport authority specifically addressing the ICE flights in July 2025.
The return of ICE flights has had real effects on the daily lives of immigrants in the area. Many families are living in fear, worried that a loved one could be detained or deported without warning. Some have stopped going to work or sending their children to school. Others are afraid to seek medical care or other essential services. This fear is made worse by the lack of public notice and the secrecy surrounding ICE operations at Pease. Legal counsel and families often do not know when or where detainees are being moved, making it hard to provide support or ensure due process.
Advocates and some elected officials have criticized this lack of transparency. They argue that ICE should provide advance notice of flights, allow for legal representation, and ensure that those facing removal have a fair chance to present their case. There are ongoing calls for state and federal lawmakers to step in and demand more openness from ICE.
Here is a step-by-step look at how ICE flights at Pease typically work:
- Detainee Transfer: ICE moves detainees from regional detention centers to Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, often without telling the public.
- Flight Operations: ICE Air flights arrive and leave, usually early in the morning, taking detainees to other locations in the United States 🇺🇸 or deporting them directly to their home countries.
- Notification: Families and lawyers often get little or no warning, making it hard to provide legal or humanitarian help.
- Community Response: Local organizations try to monitor flights, support affected families, and push for more transparency and accountability.
Several ICE Air flights have been tracked at Pease in July 2025, with at least one confirmed arrival on July 29. While ICE does not release the exact number of detainees on each flight, advocacy groups estimate that dozens of people may be transported per flight. This has a big impact on local immigrant families, who may suddenly lose a family member to detention or deportation.
Different groups have different views on the situation:
- Immigrant Communities: Many feel scared and anxious, avoiding public life because they fear detention or deportation.
- Local Officials: They want more transparency and are worried about the lack of information and the effect on the community.
- Advocacy Organizations: These groups are calling for more oversight, legal support, and protections for those at risk.
- ICE/Federal Authorities: There have been no recent public statements, but operations continue as part of national enforcement priorities.
- Pease Development Authority: The focus remains on military and commercial operations, with no direct comment on ICE flights in July 2025.
Looking ahead, ICE flights are expected to continue at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease. Advocacy groups are closely monitoring the situation and pushing for policy changes. State lawmakers are considering bills that would require advance notice of federal enforcement actions at New Hampshire airports, but as of July 30, 2025, no new laws have been passed.
Local organizations are working to help those affected. They plan to expand legal clinics, offer “know your rights” trainings, and build rapid response networks to support families facing detention or deportation. These efforts aim to give immigrants the information and help they need during a difficult and uncertain time.
For those seeking more information or help, several resources are available:
- Portsmouth International Airport at Pease: For general questions about airport operations, contact the Pease Development Authority through their official website.
- ICE Detainee Locator: Families can try to find detained loved ones using the ICE Detainee Locator System.
- Local Advocacy Groups: The New Hampshire ACLU and other local organizations offer support and information. Contact details can be found at nhaclu.org and local community centers.
- Legal Assistance: New Hampshire Legal Assistance (nhla.org) and local pro bono immigration attorneys can provide legal help.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the return of ICE flights at Pease has created a tense and uncertain environment for immigrants in Portsmouth. The lack of transparency and the risk of family separation have led to calls for greater oversight and support. While federal authorities have not commented publicly, local officials and advocates continue to push for change. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing community efforts and possible new laws on the horizon. Immigrants and their supporters are urged to stay informed, seek legal help if needed, and connect with local organizations for support.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency responsible for deportations and immigration enforcement.
Portsmouth International Airport at Pease → A joint-use airport in New Hampshire serving commercial, military, and ICE detainee flights.
Detention Center → A facility where immigrants are held before transfer or deportation.
Deportation → The forced removal of a non-citizen from the United States to their home country.
Transparency → Clear disclosure of flight operations, passenger information, and enforcement activities to the public.
This Article in a Nutshell
ICE flights resumed at Portsmouth International Airport in July 2025, increasing fear among immigrants. Local advocates demand transparency, legal support, and protections as deportations rise. Community organizations work to expand legal clinics and rapid response networks amid ongoing federal enforcement actions, underscoring the urgent need for clearer communication and family safeguards.
— By VisaVerge.com
