3.24.26 – Interacting With ICE and Government Officials

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Interacting With ICE and Government Officials

Onboard our aircraft and in the airports, Flight Attendants are reporting encounters involving law enforcement and government officials, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These interactions can be sensitive and, at times, complex. Crew safety and the safety of our passengers must always remain the top priority.

Policy governing interactions with law enforcement onboard is set by American Airlines, not the Unions on the property. APFA has repeatedly raised concerns and sought clear, consistent guidance from the company regarding these new situations. We will continue pressing management to provide the direction that Flight Attendants rightfully deserve.

If your flight is met by ICE or other law enforcement, follow:

IFM 8.2 Security Awareness > Government Officials’ Requests.

For guidance on Deportee procedures, follow:

IFM > General Policies and Procedures > Deportees.

All Flight Attendants must file a CERS report as soon as possible and provide the name and agency of the official if able.

For requests from law enforcement that are not addressed in our procedures, notify the flight deck immediately (if onboard). Flight Attendants should cooperate with government officials. All Flight Attendants must file a CERS report as soon as possible, including the name and agency of the official if known.

Need More Help? Utilize the APFA Notification System

The APFA Notification System allows members to directly notify APFA Safety and Security representatives of any critical incident on the aircraft, at the airport, or while on layover. Notifying APFA Safety and Security through the APFA Notification System will initiate internal procedures within the Union. APFA Safety and Security, Base Presidents, Base Vice Presidents, National Officers, and EAP representatives all work collaboratively to provide support.

After notifying your Union, please call American Airlines Inflight Operations Support. (The number may be found at the following path: IFM > Safety > Layover Safety and Personal Security > Security Situation Phone Contacts).

How does the notification system work?

• Call 817-357-8786.
• Select the corresponding prompt, and you will receive a detailed pre-recorded message.
• You will receive an automatic text message with important contact and reporting information and the necessary steps to report the situation and seek help.
• You may also text this number directly and an APFA Safety and Security Representative will be immediately notified.

Please save 817-357-8786 to your contacts and utilize the APFA Notification System to provide you with important information when experiencing an incident.

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Recent events underscore the broader safety concerns facing our aviation system. In a joint coalition statement, Flight Attendant Unions representing more than 100,000 aviation first responders called out the ongoing failure to properly support Transportation Security Officers (TSOs), demanding they be paid. Unions made clear that introducing ICE into airport security environments creates confusion, conflicting priorities, and unnecessary risk.

Current events are creating stressful and uncertain situations, and being placed in the middle of them can be challenging. Our role is safety.Management must provide clear direction, but until they do, protect yourself by following established procedures, and supporting one another.

If you need support, please reach out to an APFA EAP peer representative. APFA EAP is made up of active American Airlines Flight Attendants trained in EAP peer support services and volunteer their time to help their peer Flight Attendants and their families 24 hours, 7 days a week.