Federal immigration officials are seeking a detainer on a Honduran national who attempted to breach the cockpit of a United Airlines flight from Newark, New Jersey, to New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 9. The man, identified as Rony Alexander Gomez‑Alberto, claimed he was carrying a bomb and was taken into custody after the aircraft landed.
Charges and Detainer Request
Gomez‑Alberto now faces state charges of making a felony bomb threat, terroristic threats, and disorderly conduct. On November 10, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) filed an immigration detainer, asking Louisiana law‑enforcement agencies to notify ICE before releasing him.
Immigration History and Asylum Claim
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Gomez‑Alberto had been deported twice before re‑entering the United States illegally a third time. He subsequently applied for asylum, stating he feared for his life in Honduras because he is transgender. An immigration judge granted his asylum request, allowing him to remain in the country.
Secretary Mullin’s Statement
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin used the incident to criticize the current asylum system, calling Gomez‑Alberto a “criminal illegal alien” who exploited a weak process. Mullin highlighted that under President Trump’s leadership, ICE has arrested 2,312 known or suspected terrorists and deported 2,157 of them between January 20, 2025 and November 10, 2026.
Broader Enforcement Actions
The release also referenced a May directive expanding ICE’s authority to combat fraudulent asylum claims, including actions against immigration lawyers who submit false applications. Recent unrelated cases cited include a Cuban smuggling ring in Florida, a Chicago businessman sentenced for immigration and tax fraud, and several national‑security removals involving alleged ISIS‑inspired plots and gang affiliations.
Implications for Louisiana
Louisiana officials are now tasked with holding Gomez‑Alberto while the federal detainer is processed, underscoring the state’s role in supporting federal immigration enforcement and protecting public safety.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
