VIENNA TWP., Ohio - On Thursday, more than a dozen people gathered at the entrance of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport to protest alleged activities by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The protesters chanted and held signs to condemn ICE for allegedly using the facility to transport immigration detainees.

"We need people to understand that this is going on right now, and this isn't something that's happening 100 miles away. It's happening in our backyard." Michael Kripchak said. 

The leader of the protest, a woman who preferred to remain anonymous, told 21 News that she has evidence proving that ICE agents are operating at the airport. Her main concern is that ICE is violating the law, disregarding court rulings, and infringing upon the rights of those who are being detained.

"My concern is that they are not following any kind of procedure. ICE has no rules for anything they do. They do whatever they want. They have no respect for the law. They have no respect for the courts. They have no respect for the people that they're arresting." 

Airport leadership said they could not confirm nor deny protester's claims.

"The airport doesn't have access to the manifest, nor do we, as the ground agent. In other words, the passengers on the airplane, we can't comment on, nor do we have access to." Mike Hillman, President of Jets FBO said. 

Protestors allege ICE agents in plain clothes have been seen on the tarmac with private contract planes for the last several weeks.

The Miami-based airline GLOBALX signed a $65 million contract with ICE in 2024. Records show that on May 17 and May 19 of this year, two of their flights arrived at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.

Protesters said they believe that ICE's alleged actions are part of a larger effort to control and intimidate people. They told 21 News that intimidation and fear will not silence their voices.