(MARYLAND) Hundreds of activists backed by Democratic state legislators are pressing Governor Wes Moore to end Maryland’s relationship with Avelo Airlines, citing the carrier’s $150 million ICE contract to operate deportation flights. Rallies have focused on BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, where organizers say more than 4,000 Marylanders have signed petitions urging the state to sever ties.
Avelo’s first deportation flight under the federal charter began in mid-May after the airline entered a long-term agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in April 2025. Organizers point to federal data showing that nearly 20% of all ICE air deportation flights in July 2025 were operated by Avelo, and they say deportations in Maryland have tripled since the start of the year.
Who’s driving the campaign
The pressure campaign has grown quickly in recent weeks. Coalitions including Doctors for Camp Closure, the Baltimore Rapid Response Network, and several Maryland Indivisible chapters have led protests at BWI and in nearby communities.
Supporters argue Maryland should not help run deportation flights through public infrastructure, even if the flights are ordered by the federal government. They highlight Avelo’s recruitment of flight attendants specifically for these operations—positions organizers say pay $28 per hour in the first year—as evidence the airline is building a sustained deportation-flight business under the ICE contract.
What Maryland can — and cannot — do
A key question is what powers the state actually has. The deportation flights are arranged by the Department of Homeland Security at the federal level, and the ICE contract with Avelo is not subject to state approval. Still, Maryland controls certain state-level levers tied to BWI.
- State levers include:
- Airport leases and gate assignments
- State-level tax incentives related to operations at BWI
According to the Maryland Aviation Commission, the state can terminate an airline contract with 30 days’ notice or for material violations of airport rules. Activists say that provides clear leverage to push Avelo out of BWI, while acknowledging Maryland cannot cancel the federal agreement itself.
Important: Terminating a state airport contract would not halt federal deportation flights nationally, but it would remove BWI as a launch point and send a political signal.
Timeline and current status
- As of October 27, 2025, Governor Wes Moore has not announced any official action in response to the protests or the petitions.
- Organizers argue ending Avelo’s presence at BWI is procedurally simple and could be done in less than 30 days under the Commission’s rules.
- State Senator Clarence Lam and other legislators have publicly supported attempts to block Avelo’s deportation flights at BWI, citing legal and values-based concerns.
- The Governor’s office has not signaled a timeline for any decision.
State leverage and contract mechanics
The state’s options fall into two main categories:
- Control of physical and operational access at BWI
- Manage leases, gate assignments, and airport privileges.
- Financial levers
- Review or revoke state-level tax benefits tied to Avelo’s operations.
Key points:
- The Maryland Aviation Commission confirms an airline contract can be terminated with 30 days’ notice or for a material breach of airport rules.
- Activist groups want the state to use this pathway against Avelo because of its role in deportation flights.
- While termination would not stop federal removals nationwide, advocates say it would remove BWI as a launch point and have national resonance given Avelo’s reported share of flights.
Advocates also emphasize that Avelo handled nearly one in five ICE deportation flights in July 2025, a scale that organizers argue gives Maryland’s decision broader significance.
Political pressure and national ripple effects
The push to cut ties at BWI mirrors actions in other states:
- Protests and boycotts have occurred in California and Maine.
- Avelo closed its base in Burbank, California, which organizers cite as a model for corporate change prompted by local pressure.
- There are ongoing discussions in Connecticut as well.
At the federal level, Senators Alex Padilla and Richard Blumenthal have demanded transparency from Avelo about its deportation flights and raised due-process concerns tied to federal immigration policies. VisaVerge.com reports these congressional inquiries reflect growing interest in scrutinizing airline support for federal removals and the civil-liberties questions that follow.
Community impact and local response
For residents, the debate is immediate and personal:
- Families with mixed immigration status are watching BWI uneasily, fearing each charter could mean another removal.
- Local volunteers track flight movements and court timelines to help community members prepare for sudden changes.
- Organizers contend that removing Avelo from BWI would reduce the state’s involvement and signal Maryland’s values, while regular passenger service could be filled by other carriers.
Avelo has emphasized the federal nature of the work in job postings and operational notes, framing roles as charter assignments under a federal program with specific pay and schedules. Advocates interpret this recruitment as evidence Avelo intends to continue deportation flights unless states intervene.
Legal and procedural considerations
Officials caution any lease or incentive action must follow proper procedures to avoid legal challenges:
- The Maryland Aviation Commission would need to ensure due process for the airline under state rules.
- Organizers counter the 30-day termination pathway is defined well enough to proceed.
For now, both sides await a clear signal from the Governor.
Practical implications for travelers and residents
- Possible changes to Avelo’s schedule at BWI if the state moves to terminate leases or incentives.
- Deportation flights could shift to other airports if BWI access ends.
- Federal removals would continue regardless of state action, because Maryland cannot cancel the ICE contract.
Further reading and official background
For federal background on removal flights, see ICE’s public materials on air operations through DHS: ICE Air Operations. That resource outlines how deportation flights are organized at the national level, separate from state airport agreements.
What happens next
The situation remains fluid, with growing public attention but no formal state action as of late October. Organizers plan additional events, lawmakers are exploring options to align state facilities with Maryland’s stated values, and Governor Wes Moore’s next steps will determine whether BWI stays linked to Avelo’s deportation flights or becomes the latest airport to cut ties.
Residents and stakeholders are watching for statements from the Governor’s office and the Maryland Aviation Commission about timelines for review, potential lease changes, or tax implications. Until then, protests continue at BWI and the petitions keep growing, reflecting a broader debate about the role states should play—if any—in the federal deportation system.
This Article in a Nutshell
Activists and Democratic lawmakers in Maryland are pressing Governor Wes Moore to cut ties with Avelo Airlines after the carrier signed a roughly $150 million contract with ICE to operate deportation flights beginning mid-May 2025. Organizers report over 4,000 petition signatures and cite federal data showing Avelo ran about 20% of ICE air deportations in July 2025, while deportations in Maryland have tripled this year. Although the ICE contract is federal and not subject to state approval, Maryland can use state levers—airport leases, gate assignments, and state tax incentives—to remove Avelo from BWI. The Maryland Aviation Commission says airline contracts can be terminated with 30 days’ notice or for material violations. Advocates say removing Avelo from BWI would stop local launches and create national political pressure, though federal removals would continue and likely relocate to other airports. Lawmakers, activists, and national Democrats are escalating scrutiny, while the governor’s office has not announced actions as of October 27, 2025. The debate highlights tensions between state authority, federal immigration policy, and community concerns about deportations.
