The rule of law, Connecticut style

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CT Attorney General Tong warns Avelo about mistreating immigrants on ICE deportation flights

“Mistreatment” is the pretext, thwarting the deportation of illegal aliens is the goal

NEW HAVEN — Connecticut Attorney General William Tong sent a strongly worded letter to Avelo Airlines founder and CEO Andrew Levy Tuesday, seeking assurances that deportation charter flights Avelo plans to run from Arizona won't violate the rights of immigrants.

Tong's letter seeks assurances that Avelo won't shackle deportees — particularly children — and that the flights will not be used to separate children from their parents or to deport immigrants without a valid deportation order, among other issues.

It threatens to "rescind (state) support for and partnership with Avelo ... absent clear, public commitments to safety and the rule of law."
 
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"Let’s be clear what these flights are doing. These are flights separating parents from their children. These are flights where people—men, women and children — are shackled in handcuffs, waist chains and leg irons, where flight attendants have said there is no safe plan to evacuate people in an emergency," the letter states.

"No one is forcing Avelo to operate these flights. If reporting is accurate, Avelo has freely chosen to profit from and facilitate these atrocities," Tong said. "The State of Connecticut has an obligation now to review this business decision and to consider the viability of our choice to support Avelo."

Tong said "it is the policy of the State of Connecticut to support, honor and protect families, to uphold public safety and to defend the rule of law. Connecticut taxpayers have supported Avelo’s growth in our state by exempting state taxes on aviation fuel. Connecticut public officials have joined Avelo in celebrating and promoting new routes and expanded business in our state. Such support is a policy choice that may be revisited should Avelo’s business practices conflict with Connecticut priorities and policies.," he wrote.

Tong requested a copy of Avelo's contract with DHS or its agent and asked whether Avelo can confirm that it will not operate deportation flights from any Connecticut airport. He also asked it to confirm that it will not operate flights while non-violent passengers are in shackles, handcuffs, waist chains or leg irons "and unable to safely evacuate in the event of an emergency."

Tong also asked Avelo to confirm that it will never operate a flight without a safe and timely evacuation strategy for all passengers "should restraint be necessary," that "it will never operate flights with shackled children," and that it will never operate deportation flights in defiance of a court order, or one involving passengers for whom there is no valid order of removal.

"Can Avelo confirm that it will never operate a flight to deport a child born on American soil?" he asked.

Tong’s demand is merely one part of a determined effort by the state to resist enforcement of federal immigration laws:

Tong's letter went out as Tong and the state consider whether to revoke already-awarded state support for Avelo,  including a $2 million revenue guarantee and a two-year freeze on aviation fuel tax, in response to news that Avelo plans to begin flight deportation charter flights under contract to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, or DHS.