A Southwest Airlines flight attendant accused of remaining in the United States after his visa expired was taken into custody by federal immigration officers earlier this month while on the job, officials said.
Lorenzo Thompson, a citizen of Jamaica, was arrested on July 14 in Nashville, Tennessee, according to local media reports.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told Fox News that Thompson entered the country on April 17, 2021, with a visa that expired on Oct. 16, 2021.
“Against our nation’s laws, he overstayed his visa and failed to depart. He will remain in ICE custody pending his immigration proceedings,” an ICE spokesperson said.
ICE also pointed to a self-deportation program that it says offers people in the country illegally $2,600 and a free flight to leave the United States voluntarily.
“We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the US the right legal way to live the American dream,” the agency said. “If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”
ALSO READ: Mayor Tells Residents to Stop Whining as Backlash Grows Over New Driver’s License Design
TWU Local 556, the union representing Southwest Airlines flight attendants, confirmed that Thompson had been arrested.
“Every Member deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and we are committed to ensuring this Member and their family know they are not alone during this difficult time,” the union wrote in a Facebook post.
The Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) said Thompson was working toward obtaining US citizenship.
“He had a valid work visa and was a dedicated flight attendant, touching countless lives with his kindness,” the group wrote on social media.
An online crowdfunding page launched to cover Thompson’s legal bills said he left Jamaica “seeking safety from life-threatening abuse.”
“Since arriving, he has worked tirelessly to build a stable life, following every legal step toward citizenship,” the page states. “He has no criminal record. No parking tickets. He holds a valid work visa, has a pending asylum case, and is a dedicated flight attendant for a beloved airline.”
The page described him as “honest, caring, and loyal, always ready to lend a hand without expecting anything back.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the airline for comment.
