ICE uses Trump donor's private jet to deport Palestinians to West Bank
Palestinian deportees shackled on Trump donor's luxury jet reveal immigration enforcement cronyism
Palestinian deportees shackled on Trump donor's luxury jet reveal immigration enforcement cronyism
ICE chartered Gil Dezers Gulfstream IV jet, tail number N877GD, for two deportation flights on January 20 and February 1, 2026, carrying Palestinian men from ICEs Phoenix Processing Center to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
Essential concepts and terms to understand this topic
Jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Legal procedures for foreign nationals to enter and remain in the U.S.
Cities that limit local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agents to protect residents from ICE enforcement.
Government monitoring of individuals' social media accounts and posts for enforcement purposes.
President of Dezer Development
Provided his personal Gulfstream IV jet for ICE deportation flights through a charter arrangement that paid his company approximately $120,000 per flight
Palestinian deportee
Lived in US for 23 years before being deported to West Bank despite having pending asylum applications and no criminal record

Irish Foreign Minister
Criticized the use of Shannon Airport for refueling deportation flights to occupied territory and ordered parliamentary review

ICE Phoenix Field Office Director
Oversaw the deportation operations from the ICE Processing Center in Phoenix and approved the use of private contractors

ICE Air Operations Branch Chief
Managed the flight logistics and coordination with Israeli authorities for the deportation operations
Israeli Defense Forces checkpoint commander
Received deportees at Allenby Bridge crossing and supervised their release at West Bank military checkpoints
Misleading
Conservative media claimed these deportation flights demonstrate Trumps strong border security and efficient removal of illegal immigrants
The deportees included long-term US residents like Maher Awad who lived in America for 23 years since age one, not recent illegal arrivals [1]. At least two deportees had pending asylum applications that were not adjudicated before removal [2]. The flights cost taxpayers $240,000 for just 16 deportees, or $15,000 per person, far more efficient than standard commercial deportation flights which cost approximately $1,200 per person [3].
Sources
Disputed
Progressive advocates claimed the deportations violate international law by sending people to occupied territory
International law is unclear on deporting people to territories where they hold citizenship, even if those territories are occupied [1]. The deportees were Palestinian citizens, making the removal technically legal under immigration law [2]. However, legal scholars argue that deporting to occupied territory where the deporting country has no control over final disposition raises due process concerns [3].
Sources
Disputed
Trump supporters claimed Dezer received the contract purely because his company was the best qualified
Dezer Development had no prior experience with government immigration contracts [1]. At least three established government contractors with extensive immigration deportation experience submitted lower bids [2]. Dezers political donations to Trump campaigns and documented business relationship with Trump properties create appearance of cronyism, though no direct evidence of improper influence has been proven [3].
Sources
False
Trump administration officials claimed the use of private jets was necessary for security and operational flexibility
ICE has used commercial flights for 95% of deportations over the past five years without security incidents [1]. The private jet flights were significantly more expensive at $15,000 per deportee versus $1,200 for commercial flights [2]. Security experts testified to Congress that commercial flights with ICE escorts are actually more secure because they have multiple crew members and established security protocols [3].
Sources
False
Irish officials claimed they were unaware their airport was being used for deportation flights to occupied territory
Flight records show ICE aircraft used Shannon Airport for refueling on 12 occasions in 2025 and 2026 [1]. Irish aviation authorities received flight plans listing US government deportation flight as the purpose [2]. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs raised concerns about these flights in internal memos dated November 2025, three months before the Palestinian deportations [3].
Sources
False
Business commentators claimed the $240,000 contract represents normal market rates for private jet charters
Standard market rates for Gulfstream IV charters range from $8,000-12,000 per hour including crew and fuel [1]. The 15-hour flights should have cost approximately $120,000-180,000 total, not $240,000 per flight [2]. Government contracting records show ICE paid double the market rate, with the premium attributed to expedited service that was not actually provided given the advance scheduling [3].
Sources
True
Immigrant rights groups claimed these deportees were denied access to attorneys and due process
Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy requires access to counsel for detainees, but records show the Phoenix Processing Center denied attorney visitation requests for these detainees in the 72 hours before deportation [1]. Court filings show attorneys were told the detainees had already been processed for removal when they arrived to provide representation [2]. Federal immigration law requires access to counsel before final deportation orders are executed [3].
Sources
Contact your congressional representatives about oversight of private contractor use in immigration enforcement
civic action
Congress has authority to investigate ICE contracting practices and can hold hearings on cronyism in government contracts
File FOIA requests for ICE deportation flight contracts and decision-making documentation
transparency
Freedom of Information Act requests can reveal how contractors are selected and what criteria are used for deportation operations
Support legal aid organizations representing immigrants in deportation proceedings
legal support
Legal representation can make the difference between lawful deportation and due process violations