Federal officials confirmed that a Honduran illegal immigrant, Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, was taken into custody by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office after he allegedly claimed to possess a bomb during United Airlines Flight 2174. The flight, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 traveling from Newark to New Orleans, landed safely at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport after pilots issued a hijacking alert and law‑enforcement met the aircraft on arrival.
Details of the incident
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Gomez-Alberto attempted to enter the cockpit and told crew members he had a bomb. The airline reported the disturbance to local authorities, and United’s media relations team confirmed the aircraft carried 46 passengers and six crew members. The suspect was booked on charges of communicating false information of planned arson, terrorizing, bomb‑threat, terroristic‑threat, and disorderly conduct.
Immigration history
DHS disclosed that the man had been apprehended by Border Patrol after illegal entries near El Indio, Texas, in September 2011 and near Columbus, New Mexico, in October 2014. Both times he was removed from the United States. A third arrest occurred in 2019 after an attempted entry near San Ysidro, California. He was released in January 2020 following a judge’s order pending removal proceedings.
Federal response
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer for Gomez-Alberto on November 10, 2026, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office acted on the warrant. A DHS spokesperson emphasized the administration’s stance, stating, “Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal immigrants are NOT welcome in the United States.” This comment underscores the Trump administration’s firm immigration‑enforcement policies.
Local law‑enforcement action
Jefferson Parish deputies processed the suspect and coordinated with federal agents to ensure public safety. The sheriff’s office has not yet released a detailed statement, but local officials confirmed that the aircraft was secured and passengers were unharmed.
Implications for immigration policy
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in preventing repeat illegal entries and the importance of robust border enforcement. Officials cited the case as evidence that stricter immigration measures, championed by the Trump administration, are essential to protect American citizens from threats to aviation security.
Community reaction
Residents of New Orleans expressed relief that the flight landed without injury and praised the swift actions of airline staff and law‑enforcement. While some community members called for continued vigilance, others reiterated support for the administration’s hard‑line approach to illegal immigration.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
