United Airlines Probes Employee's Alleged ICE Threat at SFO

WHO:

NBC News - Julio Varela, 54, identified himself as Hispanic and Mexican.

NBC News - Varela's family includes his wife and three daughters.

ABC7 Bay Area - Julio Varela, a San Ramon man, and his family.

NBC News - United Airlines employee involved in the incident, unnamed.

NBC News - Communications director for the employee’s union, unnamed.

WHAT:

NBC News - Varela stated, "I don’t even know what’s going to happen when I get back to San Francisco," expressing lingering fears of possible ICE detainment.

NBC News - Varela described the employee's comments as "intimidating," particularly for his children, who were present during the incident.

ABC7 Bay Area - Julio Varela stated that the incident occurred after he had spent more than two hours working with United to resolve a ticketing issue.

NBC News - Varela expressed that he was unsure about what would happen upon returning to San Francisco, stating, "I don’t know what’s gonna happen when I get back."

Los Angeles Times - Varela described his reaction to the incident as "shock, disbelief, anger, embarrassment," and referred to the employee's comments as "so demeaning."

Los Angeles Times - Varela posted the video of the incident on Reddit to seek accountability, which attracted significant public and media attention.

Los Angeles Times - Varela emphasized the importance of standing up against racism, stating, "I’m always telling my girls that we need to stand up for what we believe in."

ABC7 Bay Area - Julio Varela stated that the ticketing error involved his daughter's last name being incorrectly listed as her middle name due to an error made by his wife when booking the flight a few months ago.

NBC News - Varela reported that the United employee said, "What, you’re still here? We already told you we can do this," and "I don’t care. That’s her problem. Take it up with her. I don’t care if you guys fly out today or not."

NBC News - Varela expressed that he was shocked and immediately angry after the employee's comment about calling ICE, stating, "My jaw dropped. Number one. I was shocked and immediately I was angry."

ABC7 Bay Area - Julio Varela stated that he spent about three hours trying to correct a ticketing error for his daughter before a family trip to Montreal.

NBC News - Varela reported that the United employee said, "I already told you. I can't do anything. Whether you fly out or not, I don't care."

NBC News - Varela expressed disbelief, stating, "It infuriated me, because I am a citizen, number one, and for her to threaten me like that with ICE, especially with the state of politics now in America and with what ICE is doing."

NBC News - Varela alleges that the employee hit his hand and phone, constituting an assault.

ABC7 Bay Area - A United Airlines employee allegedly threatened to call U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Julio Varela during a ticketing dispute.

NBC News - The altercation occurred over a ticketing issue where Varela's daughter's name was incorrectly listed.

NBC News - Varela reported that the employee said, "Maybe we should call ICE on you," and "Maybe you need to be. Because you don't act like a citizen."

NBC News - Varela alleges that the employee physically assaulted him by hitting his hand and phone.

WHERE:

ABC7 Bay Area - San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

NBC News - The incident took place at the United Airlines counter at SFO.

WHEN:

ABC7 Bay Area - The incident occurred on July 14.

NBC News - The Varela family was scheduled to return to San Francisco on a flight that landed Saturday night.

WHY:

NBC News - Varela expressed that the employee's threat was particularly troubling given the current political climate surrounding immigration enforcement.

ABC7 Bay Area - The confrontation arose from a ticketing error involving Varela's daughter's name.

NBC News - Varela expressed disbelief and anger over the employee's threat, particularly in the context of current political issues surrounding immigration enforcement.

HOW:

NBC News - Varela reported that the family was ultimately able to board their flight after an Air Canada representative reissued a ticket.

NBC News - Varela noted that the altercation escalated physically, with the employee allegedly hitting his hand and phone, which he described as constituting an assault.

NBC News - Varela noted that a different United representative had advised them by phone to arrive at SFO early Tuesday to resolve the ticketing issue.

NBC News - Varela stated that a different United representative had advised them by phone to arrive at SFO early to resolve the ticketing issue.

ABC7 Bay Area - Varela and the employee recorded the interaction on their cellphones.

NBC News - Varela stated that he was advised by a different United representative to arrive early to resolve the ticketing issue.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 16:24 UTC)

Julio Varela, a 54-year-old Hispanic and Mexican man, shared his concerns about returning to San Francisco, fearing possible ICE detainment after a troubling encounter at the airport. He described the comments made by an employee as "intimidating," especially for his wife and three daughters who were present during the incident. Fortunately, Varela and his family were able to board their flight after an Air Canada representative reissued their ticket.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 05:55 UTC)

Julio Varela reported that after spending over two hours trying to resolve a ticketing issue with United, he experienced a shocking incident that left him feeling disbelief, anger, and embarrassment. He shared that the altercation escalated physically when an employee allegedly hit his hand and phone, which he considered an assault, and he later posted a video of the incident on Reddit to seek accountability. Varela emphasized the importance of standing up against racism, stating, "I’m always telling my girls that we need to stand up for what we believe in."

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 04:05 UTC)

Julio Varela recently shared that a ticketing error for his daughter's flight stemmed from her last name being mistakenly listed as her middle name, a mistake made by his wife during the booking process. He recounted a troubling encounter with a United employee who dismissed their concerns and even suggested they take the issue up with ICE, leaving Varela shocked and angry. After receiving advice from another United representative to arrive early at the airport to resolve the issue, Varela was left frustrated by the lack of support.

(UPDATED July 21, 2026 02:52 UTC)

Julio Varela spent about three hours trying to fix a ticketing error for his daughter before their family trip to Montreal, but he claims a United employee was unhelpful and even threatened him with ICE. Varela expressed his disbelief and frustration, highlighting the current political climate in America and alleging that the employee hit his hand and phone, which he considers an assault. He noted that a different United representative had previously advised them to arrive early at the airport to address the issue.

(UPDATED July 20, 2026 22:24 UTC)

A United Airlines employee is facing serious allegations after reportedly threatening to call U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Julio Varela during a ticketing dispute at San Francisco International Airport. The confrontation arose over a mistake involving Varela's daughter's name, and he claims the employee not only made the threat but also physically assaulted him by hitting his hand and phone. Varela recorded the interaction on his cellphone and expressed his disbelief and anger over the incident, especially given the current political climate surrounding immigration enforcement.