Monitoring Deportation Flights via ADS-B Exchange

Why Flight Tracking Matters

ICE Air Operations executes daily deportation flights and inter-facility transfers using charter airlines. Tracking these flights can:

• Predict imminent deportations
• Identify transfer patterns
• Support emergency legal intervention
• Document enforcement activity

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The LADD Problem

ICE uses the FAA's Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed (LADD) program to block charter flight data from commercial trackers like FlightAware.

Solution: Use unfiltered ADS-B data.

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ADS-B Exchange

ADS-B Exchange captures raw Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast signals directly from aircraft transponders, bypassing LADD filters.

How ADS-B Works

1. Aircraft broadcast transponder signals
2. Ground receivers capture unencrypted data
3. ADS-B Exchange aggregates crowdsourced receivers
4. Data is publicly accessible without filtering

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ICE Air Staging Hubs

Monitor aircraft activity from these primary hubs:

Hub	Airport Code	ICAO	Function
Alexandria, LA	AEX	KAEX	Central staging, highest volume
Mesa, AZ	IWA	KIWA	Western staging
San Antonio, TX	SAT	KSAT	Texas operations
Brownsville, TX	BRO	KBRO	Border staging
Miami, FL	MIA	KMIA	Caribbean/S. America

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Charter Airline Contractors

ICE Air operates via a multi-tiered contracting structure. Rather than owning aircraft, ICE contracts with aviation brokers (historically CSI Aviation, with contracts exceeding $3.6 billion) who subcontract to charter operators.

Primary Contractors

Airline	Aircraft	Mission Type	Notes
GlobalX (Global Crossing Airlines)	Airbus A320/A321	Routine Latin America/Caribbean removals	Dominant contractor for daily deportation flights
iAero Airways (formerly Swift Air)	Boeing 737-400/800	Domestic shuffles, international removals	Historic contractor, heavily utilized
Eastern Air Express	Boeing 737	High-volume domestic/international transfers
Avelo Airlines	Boeing 737	Mixed commercial + charter	Dual-use carrier
World Atlantic Airlines (Caribbean Sun)	MD-80/MD-83	Caribbean routes	Regional specialist
OMNI Air International	Boeing 767/777	Long-haul transcontinental	Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East missions

Tracking by ICAO Hex Code

Filter ADS-B data using ICAO hex codes associated with known contractor tail numbers:

# Example filtering approach
Filter by: Airframe type (B738, A320, MD83)
Origin: KAEX, KIWA, KSAT
Operator: Known contractor registrations

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Monitoring Techniques

Method 1: Hub Monitoring

1. Go to globe.adsbexchange.com
2. Navigate to staging hub (e.g., KAEX Alexandria)
3. Watch for Boeing 737 / Airbus A320 activity
4. Note departure times and trajectories

Method 2: Aircraft Type Filtering

Filter by airframe commonly used for ICE operations:

• B738 - Boeing 737-800
• B734 - Boeing 737-400
• A320 - Airbus A320
• MD83 - McDonnell Douglas MD-83

Method 3: Tail Number Tracking

If you identify a specific tail number:

1. Search the registration on ADS-B Exchange
2. View historical flight data
3. Analyze route patterns

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API Access for Developers

ADS-B Exchange provides API endpoints for automated monitoring:

Endpoints

# Historical traces
https://globe.adsbexchange.com/globe_history/YYYY/MM/DD/traces/

# Real-time data (requires coordination)
https://api.adsbexchange.com/

Implementation Notes

• Filter by ICAO hex codes of known contractors
• Monitor routes from KAEX, KIWA, KSAT
• Set alerts for specific airframes approaching regional airports
• Respect rate limits and terms of service

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Interpreting Flight Patterns

Deportation Flight Indicators

Pattern	Likely Meaning
KAEX → Central America	Deportation flight
KAEX → Caribbean	Caribbean removal
KIWA → Mexico	Border removal
Multiple hops same aircraft	Domestic transfers ("shuffles")
Late night departures	Typical deportation timing

Domestic Shuffle Patterns

Inter-facility transfers often involve:

• Early morning departures (2-6 AM)
• Multiple stops at regional airports
• Return to staging hub same day

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Legal Considerations

Tracking publicly broadcast ADS-B data is legal.

Aircraft transponder signals are:

• Broadcast unencrypted over public airwaves
• Intended for air traffic safety
• Not protected by wiretapping laws

However:

• Do not interfere with aircraft operations
• Do not trespass on airport property
• Coordinate with legal counsel on publication

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Community Monitoring Networks

Organizations coordinating flight monitoring:

• Witness at the Border - Border enforcement documentation
• University research groups - Academic flight analysis
• Investigative journalists - Media accountability reporting

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Alert Integration

For automated alerts when flights approach your area:

1. ADS-B Exchange API → Your server
2. Filter by hex codes / aircraft types
3. Trigger Twilio SMS or Signal webhook
4. Alert rapid response network

Rapid Response Setup Guide →

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Limitations

• Some aircraft use Mode S transponders without position
• Weather and receiver coverage affect data
• Cannot track aircraft on ground
• Real-time data may have slight delays

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Resources

• ADS-B Exchange Globe
• FlightAware (LADD-filtered but useful)
• OpenSky Network
• FAA Registry (tail number lookup)