United Airlines employee allegedly suggested calling ICE on passenger during ticket dispute at SFO

A video recorded at San Francisco International Airport on July 14 captured a confrontation between United Airlines staff and a passenger over a ticketing error. Julio Varela, a naturalized U.S. citizen and business owner, and his family were attempting to board a United-operated flight to Montreal when an error in his daughter’s name required multiple visits to both United and Air Canada ticket counters. After three hours, a United employee approached the family and told Varela, "Maybe we should call ICE on you," adding that he did not act like a citizen. Both parties recorded the exchange on their phones.

Varela, whose 14-year-old daughter was present, said the remarks were racist and threatened legal action. United Airlines issued a brief statement that it is reviewing the interaction but provided no further details. The employee was not identified publicly, though the video shows a badge indicating she is a union steward for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

The family eventually boarded the flight after another employee resolved the ticket issue. Varela expressed concern about potential immigration enforcement upon his return to the United States and called for the employee’s termination.