Nick Benson stands inside the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, watching the planes. His attention is on a charter flight parked away from the gates. Dressed casually, he counts as people, their hands and feet shackled, board the plane. These individuals are part of a federal operation that has ramped up under the Trump administration, leading to what many call the largest immigration enforcement effort in U.S. history.
Benson, a dedicated airplane enthusiast, has shifted focus in recent months. He’s started to track these deportation flights, counting those being removed from the state. “The count is vital,” he explains. “There’s little other data on what’s happening.”
In January alone, Benson estimates that around 2,339 people were flown out of Minnesota. This figure is part of a broader trend where deportation flights have doubled in frequency and scope since the start of this operation. Tracking these movements is crucial, especially since many detainees are being transported swiftly, sometimes just 24 to 48 hours after arrest, often without due process.
Savi Arvey, who manages ICE Flight Monitor, emphasizes the necessity of Benson’s work. “Knowing that someone is counting the number of people being deported is essential,” she says. But due to the government’s lack of transparency, information about who is on these flights is scarce.
This opacity poses real challenges. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently reported 3,500 arrests associated with the operation but offered little detail on where these individuals were taken. The agency’s evasiveness leaves a gap that activists like Benson aim to fill by documenting each flight meticulously, from departure times to tail numbers.
Critics worry about the implications of such rapid deportations. Arvey points out that many people deported may not have had their asylum claims heard. The swift processing raises ethical concerns over human rights and the right to appeal.
In addition to logistical challenges, Benson describes the emotional toll of his observations. “Seeing people in chains, pausing to glance around, brings home the weight of this situation,” he shares. Despite the difficulty, he feels compelled to continue.
Benson balances this work with family life, often rushing to the airport at a moment’s notice. Each flight he tracks adds to a growing database of 42 flights recorded in January alone.
Arvey and her team appreciate Benson’s contributions. They can track flights but rely on grassroots observers for data on the actual passengers. The more informed the public is, the more pressure can be applied to ensure transparency and humane treatment.
With flights continuing without clear accountability, the urgency for observers like Benson grows. As he stares out at the tarmac, he realizes the importance of bringing this hidden issue to light. “It’s the most significant work I may ever do,” he admits. He heads back outside, ready to count again.
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