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United investigates after agent allegedly threatened to call ICE on passenger at SFO
ABC7 Bay Area • • business
Key Points:
- Julio Varela, a San Ramon man, was offended after a United Airlines employee at San Francisco International Airport suggested calling U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on him during a dispute over a ticketing error involving his daughter's flight to Montreal.
- The confrontation escalated when Varela called the employee rude and lazy, prompting the employee to respond with the controversial ICE remark, implying Varela did not "act like a citizen."
- Varela, who is Hispanic and Mexican, expressed particular distress over the ICE comment, especially given the sensitivity around immigration enforcement in San Francisco.
- United Airlines acknowledged the incident and stated they are investigating but have not provided further details, while communication between Varela and the airline has since stalled.
