A Southwest Airlines flight attendant has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to officials. ICE confirmed that Lorenzo Thompson was taken into custody in Nashville, Tennessee, on July 14 while he was at work. The agency said Thompson entered the United States from Jamaica in 2021 on a six-month visa but did not leave after the visa expired. ICE stated that he cooperated with officers during the arrest and was taken into custody without incident.
The agency added that he will remain in custody while his immigration case moves through legal proceedings. However, a friend who launched a GoFundMe campaign claimed that Thompson has a valid work permit and a pending asylum application. The friend also said he has worked hard to build a stable life in the United States, has followed legal immigration procedures, and has no criminal record or even minor traffic violations. TWU Local 556, the union representing more than 21,000 Southwest Airlines flight attendants, confirmed that one of its members was detained while on duty.
The union said every member deserves dignity and respect and pledged to support Thompson and his family during this difficult period. Southwest Airlines has not released additional details, while the union declined to comment further. The case highlights the ongoing legal and humanitarian issues surrounding immigration enforcement and pending asylum applications in the United States.
