Key Takeaways
• Hanscom Field became Massachusetts’ main ICE detainee flight hub in early 2025, with over 40 flights since January.
• Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office transports detainees from its 526-bed jail to Hanscom Field for private charter flights.
• Massport and local authorities have no oversight or advance notice of ICE flights, raising transparency concerns.
Hanscom Field’s Role as Massachusetts’ ICE Detainee Flight Hub: What’s Happening and Why It Matters
Hanscom Field, a public-use airport in Massachusetts, has become the main departure point for ICE detainee flights in the state as of June 2025. Since January, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office has transported hundreds of people in ICE custody from its jail to Hanscom Field. From there, these detainees are flown—often without public notice—to large detention centers in southern states like Louisiana 🇺🇸 and Texas 🇺🇸. This shift has sparked strong reactions from local officials, residents, and advocacy groups, raising questions about transparency, oversight, and the impact on families and communities.
This article explains how Hanscom Field became central to ICE operations in Massachusetts, the roles of key agencies like the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, and what these developments mean for detainees, local communities, and the broader immigration system.
Hanscom Field: The New Hub for ICE Detainee Flights
Who is involved?
– ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement): The federal agency responsible for detaining and removing people who are in the United States 🇺🇸 without legal status or who have violated immigration laws.
– Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office: The only law enforcement agency in Massachusetts with a contract to hold ICE detainees. They transport detainees from their jail to Hanscom Field for flights out of state.
– Massport (Massachusetts Port Authority): Operates Hanscom Field but says it has no control over or advance notice of ICE flights.
– Hanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC): A group representing local towns, which has publicly condemned the use of Hanscom Field for ICE flights.
What’s happening?
– Since January 2025, more than 40 ICE charter flights have left Hanscom Field, carrying over 500 detainees to other states.
– The Plymouth County jail currently holds 526 beds under contract with ICE, making it the only facility in Massachusetts with such an agreement.
– Detainees are transported by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office to Hanscom Field, then flown—usually by private charter companies—to large detention centers, mainly in the South.
Where is this happening?
– Hanscom Field is located in Bedford, Massachusetts, and serves as a public-use airport for the region.
– The Plymouth County jail is in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and is the only jail in the state with an active ICE contract.
When did this start?
– The Plymouth County jail’s contract with ICE dates back to 2009, but Hanscom Field’s role as the main hub for ICE detainee flights became prominent in early 2025.
Why is this happening?
– After a 2017 Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling barred local police from arresting people solely for immigration violations, the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office remained the only agency with a contract to detain and transport ICE detainees.
– ICE needs a secure, reliable way to move detainees to larger detention centers, often far from Massachusetts, and Hanscom Field has become the main departure point.
How are flights arranged?
– ICE uses private charter companies to operate these flights.
– Massport, which runs Hanscom Field, is not notified in advance and has no authority to prevent or monitor these flights.
– The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office only handles transportation to the airport and does not arrange flights or track where detainees go after they leave Hanscom.
Community and Official Responses
Local Outrage and Ethical Concerns
Residents and officials in towns near Hanscom Field—such as Lincoln, Lexington, Concord, and Bedford—have voiced strong opposition to the airport’s use for ICE detainee flights. At a June 2025 meeting, the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC) publicly condemned ICE’s activities at the airport. Members expressed deep ethical concerns and frustration over the lack of transparency.
- Christopher Eliot (HFAC member, Lincoln): “There is something about ICE activities…something deep in their black hearts that they know what they’re doing is wrong.”
- Barbara Katzenberg and Margaret Coppe (Lexington, HFAC members): Stated that while the commission does not see it as their duty to intervene, they do not blame Massport directly.
Massport’s Position: No Authority Over ICE Flights
Massport officials have made it clear that Hanscom Field is a public-use airport, meaning anyone—including federal agencies—can use it without special permission. Amber Goodspeed, Manager of Airport Administration, explained:
“Nobody is required to ask our permission to use our public use airports…They don’t inform us they’re coming so we don’t have any info on any of these flights and it’s pretty typical to not know who is on any of the aircrafts.”
This lack of authority and information has left both Massport and local officials feeling powerless to address community concerns.
Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office: Limited Role
Sheriff Joseph McDonald has stated that his deputies are not involved in ICE arrests or flight arrangements. Their role is limited to transporting detainees from the jail to Hanscom Field. Since 2017, the office has transported 545 detainees to Hanscom, with hundreds more in 2025 alone. The office does not track where detainees go after they are dropped off at the airport.
ICE: Silent on Hanscom Field’s Role
ICE continues to use Hanscom Field for detainee transfers as part of its national operations. The agency relies on private charter flights and has not made any public statements about Hanscom Field’s new role as a hub. ICE’s 2025 National Detention Standards are in effect, but they do not require local notification or address the specifics of flight operations.
How the System Works: Policy and Procedures
Massachusetts Law and ICE Contracts
A 2017 ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Court prevents local police from arresting people just for immigration violations. However, sheriff’s offices can still contract with ICE to detain and transport people already in ICE custody. The Plymouth County jail is now the only facility in Massachusetts with such a contract.
ICE Detention and Transfers
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) manages the movement of detainees across the country. Hanscom Field has become a key point in the Northeast for sending detainees to larger centers, mostly in southern states. These flights are usually unannounced, use private charter companies, and are not tracked by airport management or local authorities.
Flight Operations: Lack of Oversight
- No advance notice: Massport and local officials are not told when ICE flights will occur.
- No local oversight: There is no requirement for ICE to inform or seek permission from local authorities.
- Private charters: Flights are operated by private companies, making them harder to track.
Quantitative Data: The Numbers Behind the Flights
- Over 500 detainees have been flown out of Hanscom Field since January 2025.
- More than 40 ICE flights have departed Hanscom Field in 2025 alone.
- 526 ICE-contracted beds are available at the Plymouth County jail.
These numbers highlight the scale of ICE operations at Hanscom Field and the central role played by the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Detainees and Their Families
People in ICE custody are often moved far from Massachusetts, making it much harder for them to access legal help or stay in touch with family. Being flown to distant states like Louisiana 🇺🇸 or Texas 🇺🇸 can mean longer detention times and more stress for both detainees and their loved ones.
For Local Communities
The increased use of Hanscom Field for ICE flights has led to more activism and calls for transparency. However, because of federal jurisdiction and the airport’s public-use status, local communities have little power to change or even monitor these operations.
For Advocacy Groups
Advocacy groups are using the situation at Hanscom Field to push for legislative and regulatory changes at both the state and federal levels. They argue for more oversight, transparency, and an end to local cooperation with ICE.
For Local and State Officials
Officials at Massport and the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission have stated they lack the authority to intervene. This has led to frustration and a sense of helplessness among those who want to address community concerns.
Historical Background: How Did We Get Here?
The Plymouth County jail has held an ICE contract since 2009. Over the years, ICE used several airports and facilities in Massachusetts for detainee transfers. However, as of 2025, Hanscom Field has become the main hub for these flights. This shift is partly due to the 2017 court ruling that limited local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement, leaving the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office as the only agency with an active ICE contract.
Community and Political Response: Growing Pressure, Few Answers
Local outrage continues to grow as more residents and officials learn about Hanscom Field’s role in ICE operations. The lack of transparency and oversight has fueled calls for change, but so far, there have been no announced policy changes at the state or federal level.
- No local oversight: Both Massport and the HFAC say they cannot stop or regulate ICE flights.
- No ICE comment: ICE has not addressed Hanscom Field’s role publicly.
- Advocacy efforts: Groups are expected to keep pressing for changes, but federal jurisdiction makes local action difficult.
What’s Next? Future Outlook
As of June 30, 2025, there are no announced changes to ICE’s use of Hanscom Field or the Plymouth County jail contract. Community pressure is increasing, but both Massport and local commissions maintain they lack the power to stop or regulate ICE flights. ICE’s 2025 National Detention Standards remain in effect, but they do not address local notification or oversight of flight operations.
Advocacy groups are likely to continue pushing for legislative or regulatory changes, both in Massachusetts and at the federal level. The situation at Hanscom Field may become a flashpoint in the broader debate over immigration enforcement and local cooperation with ICE.
Practical Guidance and Resources
If you are concerned about ICE detainee flights at Hanscom Field or want more information:
- Contact Massport for general questions about Hanscom Field operations. Visit the Massport official website.
- Contact the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office for information about detainee transport. Visit the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.
- Learn about ICE detention standards and facility information at the ICE Detention Management page.
- Reach out to the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission through your local town government website (Lincoln, Lexington, Concord, Bedford).
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the use of Hanscom Field as a hub for ICE detainee flights has brought national attention to the intersection of federal immigration enforcement and local community concerns. The ongoing debate highlights the challenges of balancing public safety, federal authority, and the rights and well-being of immigrants and their families.
Key Takeaways
- Hanscom Field is now the main hub for ICE detainee flights in Massachusetts.
- The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office transports detainees to Hanscom Field but does not arrange flights or track final destinations.
- Massport and local officials have no authority or advance notice of ICE flights, leading to frustration and calls for more transparency.
- Local communities and advocacy groups are demanding oversight and change, but federal jurisdiction limits local action.
- The situation remains fluid, with no announced policy changes as of June 2025.
For those affected by ICE operations or concerned about the use of Hanscom Field, staying informed and reaching out to official agencies is the best way to seek answers and support. For more information on immigration enforcement and detainee rights, visit the ICE Detention Management page.
By understanding the roles of Hanscom Field, ICE, and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, readers can better grasp the complexities of immigration enforcement in Massachusetts and the challenges faced by detainees, families, and communities alike.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal agency managing detention and removal of unauthorized immigrants.
Detainee → A person held in custody, often awaiting immigration proceedings or removal from the U.S.
Private Charter Flights → Flights operated by private companies employed by ICE to transfer detainees to other locations.
Massport → Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates Hanscom Field airport but lacks control over ICE flights.
Sheriff’s Office → County-level law enforcement responsible for transporting detainees to the airport under ICE contract.
This Article in a Nutshell
Hanscom Field has emerged as Massachusetts’ ICE detainee flight hub since 2025. Over 500 detainees flown via private charters, sparking local outrage over lack of transparency and oversight. The Plymouth County Sheriff transports detainees, but Massport holds no control. Communities demand accountability amid federal jurisdiction complexities.
— By VisaVerge.com
