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🇺🇸 United States /Crime & Justice

United Airlines Employee Accused of Threatening to Call ICE on Customer in Viral Video

From CBS News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • A United Airlines employee at San Francisco International Airport allegedly threatened to call U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on a customer.
  • The incident occurred during a dispute over a flight ticket issued with an incorrect name.
  • The employee's alleged threat was captured on video and has gone viral on social media.

A United Airlines employee at San Francisco International Airport is under investigation after allegedly threatening to call U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on a customer during a ticketing dispute. The incident, captured on video, has since gone viral on social media platforms.

Maybe we should call ICE on you.

— United Airlines EmployeeThe employee allegedly made this threat to a customer during a ticketing dispute at San Francisco International Airport.

The customer, Julio Varela, a U.S. citizen traveling with his family, recounted that the confrontation began when an unidentified employee was rude and dismissive at the ticket counter. When Varela asked for the employee's name to file a report, she reportedly refused. Varela then began recording the interaction on his phone.

The video shows the employee holding her phone up, appearing to record Varela, and then saying, "Maybe we should call ICE on you." Varela, heard from behind the camera, questioned the threat, to which the employee responded, "Maybe you need to be, because you don't act like a citizen. Get away."

Maybe you need to be, because you don't act like a citizen. Get away.

— United Airlines EmployeeThe employee's response when the customer questioned her threat to call ICE.

Varela expressed shock and anger, stating the threat was intimidating, especially for his children. He explained that the family was trying to correct a ticketing error where his daughter's middle name was mistakenly listed as her last name. The employee allegedly told them she did not care if they missed their flight.

I was so shocked, I was angry. It's intimidating, because my kids didn't know, you know, if when we get back, are we, am I going to be arrested? Is ICE going to be there?

— Julio VarelaThe customer described his reaction to the employee's threat.

Following the employee's threat, Varela stated he refused to back down. The issue was reportedly resolved shortly after, and the family was able to board their flight. United Airlines has stated they are looking into the interaction but offered no further comment.

She assumed that I was just gonna be some idiot that was gonna, you know, just be quiet and shut up. So I said, 'No, call ICE.'

— Julio VarelaVarela explained his reaction to the employee's threat.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CBS News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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