United Airlines investigates employee's threat to call ICE on passenger
United Airlines is investigating a viral video showing an employee threatening to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on a Mexican American passenger who was upset about a ticket error. The passenger, a naturalized citizen, was not detained upon returning from Canada.
United Airlines has stated it is “looking into” a viral video that captures an employee at San Francisco International Airport threatening to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on a Mexican American man.
The incident occurred after Julio Varela of San Ramon, California, became frustrated with United staff for taking three hours to correct a mistake his family made when entering his daughter’s name on a ticket for a flight to Canada, according to NBC News. After a tense exchange, Varela pulled out his phone and demanded the employee’s name to report her.
In the video, the employee responds by taking out her own phone and recording him, saying: “Maybe we should call ICE on you. You don’t act like a citizen.” Varela, a naturalized U.S. citizen, grew angrier and replied, “Call ICE on me, lady.” He repeatedly said “say it again” as she responded, “Get out my face.” Another United employee can be seen sighing and rolling her eyes.
“We’re looking into the interaction in this video, but don’t have anything additional to share at this time,” the airline said in an emailed statement. Varela expressed concern about being detained by ICE upon returning from Montreal, but nothing happened, according to NBC News.
