GlobalX Operates 74% of ICE Deportation Flights and NCAA Charters

Key Takeaways

• GlobalX operated 74% of ICE deportation flights in 2024, while also flying NCAA women’s basketball teams.
• ICE completed over 700,000 removals in fiscal year 2024, the highest since 2010.
• GlobalX can reconfigure planes in hours, raising ethical and transparency concerns from universities and the public.

A major charter airline, GlobalX (Global Crossing Airlines), has come under intense public and media scrutiny after it was revealed that the same planes used to fly NCAA women’s basketball teams have also been used for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation flights. As of June 26, 2025, GlobalX operated 74% of ICE’s removal flights in 2024, making it the leading airline in this controversial area. This dual role—serving both high-profile college athletes and facilitating deportations—has sparked debate about ethics, transparency, and the responsibilities of universities, airlines, and government agencies.

What’s Happening: GlobalX’s Dual Role

Who: GlobalX, a charter airline, is at the center of this issue.
What: The airline provides flights for both NCAA women’s basketball teams and ICE deportation operations.
When: The controversy gained attention in June 2025, but GlobalX’s involvement dates back at least to 2024.
Where: Flights operate across the United States 🇺🇸 and internationally, depending on the needs of the NCAA and ICE.
Why: GlobalX contracts with both private and government clients to maximize business, but this has led to ethical questions.
How: The airline reconfigures its planes quickly, sometimes within hours, to serve different clients.

Breaking Down the Numbers

• GlobalX’s Share of ICE Flights: In 2024, GlobalX operated 74% of all ICE removal flights.
• ICE Removals: ICE completed over 700,000 removals and returns in fiscal year 2024, the highest since 2010.
• Flight Volume: Between June and September 2024, ICE ran more than 495 international repatriation flights.
• DHS Contract Value: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) signed a six-month contract with CSI Aviation in 2025 worth $78.1 million, with the possibility of increasing to $162.2 million.
• ICE Detention: As of May 18, 2025, ICE held 48,870 people in detention, and 43.1% of them had no criminal record.

How Deportation Flights Work

To understand why this issue matters, it helps to look at how deportation flights are arranged and operated:

1. DHS/ICE contracts with aviation brokers like CSI Aviation. These brokers are responsible for organizing flights for ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division.
2. Brokers subcontract to charter airlines such as GlobalX and, more recently, Avelo Airlines. These airlines provide the planes and crews for the flights.
3. Aircraft are scheduled and configured for either deportation or charter clients. Planes can switch from luxury sports charters to basic deportation setups within hours.
4. ICE coordinates with field offices to arrange the transfer and removal of detainees.
5. Flights operate domestically or internationally to return people to their home countries or to transport sports teams to events.

Why This Matters: Ethical and Practical Concerns

Ethical Questions

The main concern is the dual use of aircraft. The same plane that carries a college basketball team to a tournament might, just days later, be used to deport people from the United States 🇺🇸. This raises questions about:

• Transparency: Are universities and athletes aware of the other uses of these planes?
• Informed Consent: Should passengers know if their plane was recently used for deportations?
• Ethical Responsibility: Do universities and sports organizations have a duty to consider the full business practices of their vendors?

Operational Flexibility

Aviation experts confirm that airlines like GlobalX can reconfigure aircraft interiors within hours. This means a plane can go from a luxury setup for athletes to a basic, high-capacity arrangement for deportation flights very quickly. While this flexibility is good for business, it also makes it easier for airlines to serve both government and private clients without much notice.

Public Perception

The revelation has led to public outcry and calls for more scrutiny. Advocacy groups, students, and some university staff are demanding that schools review their travel contracts and consider the ethical implications of their vendor choices.

Who’s Involved: Key Stakeholders

GlobalX

GlobalX has not made a public statement about its dual role. The airline’s business model relies on serving both government and private clients, and aviation experts say this is common in the industry. However, the reputational risks are now much higher.

NCAA and Universities

Many universities, including Georgetown University, have used GlobalX for athletics travel. These arrangements are often made through third-party travel coordinators like Anthony Travel, which declined to comment on the controversy. Most universities say they are not directly involved in choosing the specific airline or aircraft.

ICE and DHS

ICE says all removal operations follow U.S. law and international agreements. The agency states that every noncitizen facing removal receives due process and protection screenings. For more details on ICE’s procedures and statistics, readers can visit the ICE official statistics portal.

Advocacy Groups

Organizations such as Witness at the Border have criticized the practice, saying it normalizes and hides the harsh realities of deportation. They argue that universities and sports organizations should reconsider their relationships with airlines involved in deportation flights.

How Did We Get Here? Background and History

ICE Air Operations

ICE has long relied on charter airlines for deportation flights. Contracts are typically awarded to the lowest qualified bidder, which means airlines with the right equipment and pricing win the business.

GlobalX’s Rise

In recent years, GlobalX has become the largest federal subcontractor for ICE deportation flights. At the same time, it has expanded into sports and luxury charters, making it a popular choice for NCAA teams.

A New Player: Avelo Airlines

In 2025, Avelo Airlines, a retail carrier, began operating deportation flights as a sub-carrier for CSI Aviation. This marks the first time a retail airline has entered the deportation charter market, signaling possible changes in the industry.

What Are the Implications?

For Universities and Athletes

• Reputational Risk: Schools and teams may face backlash if students and the public object to sharing planes with deportation operations.
• Procurement Policies: Universities may need to review how they select travel vendors and whether ethical considerations should play a bigger role.
• Transparency: There may be pressure to disclose more information about travel arrangements to students and staff.

For Airlines

• Business vs. Reputation: Airlines like GlobalX must balance the need for profitable contracts with the risk of public criticism.
• Industry Shifts: If public pressure grows, airlines may reconsider their involvement in deportation flights.

For ICE and DHS

• Operational Efficiency: ICE relies on charter airlines to move large numbers of people quickly and securely.
• Cost Management: Using brokers and charter airlines helps ICE control costs, but it also exposes the agency to criticism about its choice of partners.

For Advocacy Groups

• Increased Attention: The issue has given advocacy groups a new platform to push for changes in how deportations are handled.
• Policy Influence: Ongoing campaigns may lead to new rules about transparency and ethical procurement.

Multiple Perspectives: What Different Groups Say

Universities

Most universities say they are not directly involved in choosing the airline or aircraft. Travel is usually arranged by third-party vendors, and schools may not know if the plane was used for deportations.

Airlines

Charter airlines see these contracts as a business necessity, especially in a competitive market. They argue that serving both government and private clients is standard practice.

ICE/DHS

ICE and DHS focus on operational needs and cost-effectiveness. They say all removal operations are legal and follow due process.

Advocacy Groups

Advocacy groups focus on the human rights and ethical issues. They want more transparency and accountability from both airlines and universities.

Step-by-Step: How a Deportation Flight Is Arranged

To help readers understand the process, here’s a simple breakdown:

• Step 1: ICE identifies people who are set for removal.
• Step 2: ICE works with brokers like CSI Aviation to schedule flights.
• Step 3: Brokers hire airlines such as GlobalX or Avelo to provide planes and crews.
• Step 4: Planes are prepared for the specific mission—either deportation or charter.
• Step 5: ICE coordinates with field offices to move detainees to the airport.
• Step 6: The flight operates, either within the United States 🇺🇸 or to another country.

What’s Next? Future Outlook

Possible Policy Changes

With growing attention, universities and athletic conferences may review or change their travel procurement policies. They could require more information about vendors or set rules about which airlines can be used.

Public Pressure

Advocacy and media coverage are likely to continue. This could lead to new transparency requirements for charter contracts and more public debate about the ethics of deportation flights.

Industry Changes

Airlines may face more reputational risk and could decide to stop participating in deportation operations if the backlash grows. New players, like Avelo Airlines, may change how the market works.

Summary Table: Key Facts

Actionable Takeaways

• For Students and Athletes: Ask your school about travel arrangements and whether ethical considerations are part of the process.
• For Universities: Review procurement policies and consider adding ethical guidelines for vendor selection.
• For Airlines: Be prepared for increased scrutiny and consider how dual roles may affect your reputation.
• For Advocacy Groups: Continue to push for transparency and accountability in both government and private sectors.

Where to Find More Information

• For official ICE statements and statistics, visit the ICE statistics portal.
• For NCAA travel policies, contact the NCAA’s public relations office.
• For updates on advocacy efforts, check organizations like Witness at the Border and the University of Washington Center for Human Rights.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the intersection of sports travel and immigration enforcement has brought new attention to the hidden connections between everyday activities and government operations. The debate over GlobalX, ICE deportation flights, and women’s basketball is likely to shape future policies and public attitudes for years to come.

Learn Today

GlobalX → A charter airline providing flights for NCAA teams and ICE deportation operations.
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement responsible for enforcing immigration laws and removals.
Removal Flights → Flights arranged to deport individuals from the United States to their home countries.
DHS → U.S. Department of Homeland Security, overseeing ICE and contracting aviation services.
Charter Airline → An airline hired for specific trips, often serving private or government clients temporarily.

This Article in a Nutshell

GlobalX’s role flying NCAA teams and ICE deportations sparks ethical debate. Operating 74% of ICE flights, its dual use challenges transparency and pressures universities to reconsider vendor choices amid growing public scrutiny and advocacy calls for accountability.
— By VisaVerge.com