Take Action in Scranton
Fact: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport has pursued $500,000 in federal grant funding, plus local matches and in-kind support to provide Avelo with revenue guarantees, marketing money, and fee waivers — totaling about $1.5 million in value.
Ask: Remove Avelo from any inventive agreements and commit to no subsidies for deportation contractors.
Primary Targets: Luzerne County Council, Lackawanna County Commissioners, Airport Board
Call Script
Hi, my name is [Name], and I live in [County]. I’m calling because our airport is pursuing about $1.5 million in subsidies and support for Avelo Airlines — a company that now runs deportation flights for ICE. These flights are secretive, lack oversight, and deny people due process.
I urge you to end all support for Avelo immediately and to commit to no public subsidies for deportation contractors in the future. Can I count on you to take that stand?
Template Email
Subject: End incentives to Avelo Airlines
Dear [Official],
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport is pursuing about $1.5 million in subsidies and support for Avelo Airlines, a company running deportation flights for ICE. These flights occur without oversight and deny people their right to due process.
Please remove Avelo from any current or future incentive agreements and commit to no public subsidies for deportation contractors.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Address]
Our Demand: No Public Money for Deportation Profiteers
Wherever Avelo operates, our demands are clear: stop subsidizing cruelty. Cities and states are pouring public dollars into an airline that runs secretive ICE deportation flights—flights with no guarantee of due process, legal counsel, or even basic transparency. We’re calling on state and local officials to:
Cut public subsidies, grants, and tax breaks to Avelo Airlines
Pass policies to ensure no future subsidies go to deportation contractors
Make a public statement condemning Avelo’s ICE deportation contract
Get the Protest Quickstart Guide
Calls and emails are great — but the best thing that you can do to pressure your state and local lawmakers is to plan a protest or district office visit.