United, American Airlines: Use Someone Else To Separate Families

CHICAGO, IL — American Airlines and United Airlines say they've asked the federal government to refrain from putting migrant children separated from their families on their planes. Both came out with statements Wednesday opposing the Trump administration's policy.

Both airlines also said they have no knowledge that their planes have been used to fly migrant kids who have separated from their parents. The statements come after multiple flight attendants took to social media this week to report seeing kids that they thought were being separated from their parents.

American Airlines, based in Fort Worth, Texas, said in a statement that the family separation policy is "not at all aligned" with the company's values. The company said it brings families together, "not apart."

American said it does provide flights for federal contracts but noted the government doesn't disclose the nature of the flights or the people flying. American said it would be "extremely disappointed" to learn its airplanes had been used as part of the family separation policy.

“We have therefore requested the federal government to immediately refrain from using American for the purpose of transporting children who have been separated from their families due to the current immigration policy," CEO Doug Parker said in a statement. "We have no desire to be associated with separating families, or worse, to profit from it. We have every expectation the government will comply with our request and we thank them for doing so.”

United Airlines, based in Chicago, echoed those sentiments and said its own research has not uncovered any evidence that the company's flights were used to move migrant kids. United also emphasized that the Trump administration's policy does not align with the company's values.

"Our company's shared purpose is to connect people and unite the world," CEO Oscar Munoz said in a statement. "This policy and its impact on thousands of children is in deep conflict with that mission and we want no part of it."

United asks U.S. government not to fly separated immigrant children on our aircraft. pic.twitter.com/MPPbhO6aqV
— United Airlines (@united) June 20, 2018

The White House announced in May its "zero-tolerance" policy toward immigrants in the country illegally. More than 2,300 children have been separated from their parents at the border since then, according to The Associated Press.

President Donald Trump has reportedly signed an executive order to end the separation practice.

Photo credit: Maria Cormack-Pitts/Patch