A man deported from the United States twice was eventually granted asylum. Now, that same man stands accused of threatening to hijack a United Airlines flight, allegedly claiming to have a bomb and attempting to breach the cockpit.
The disturbing revelations surrounding Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, a 34-year-old Honduran national, are raising serious questions about America’s immigration and asylum system.
According to Fox News, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Gomez-Alberto received asylum after claiming he feared being killed in Honduras because he was transgender.
But his history with U.S. immigration authorities stretches back more than a decade.
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DHS said Gomez-Alberto was apprehended near El Indio, Texas, in September 2011 and again near Columbus, New Mexico, in October 2014. Both encounters resulted in deportation.
In 2019, he was arrested following another attempted illegal entry near San Ysidro, California. Immigration and Customs Enforcement released him in January 2020 under a judge’s order while removal proceedings continued.
An immigration judge subsequently granted him asylum.
Now, years later, Gomez-Alberto is behind bars after his frightening actions aboard United Airlines Flight 2174 on Nov. 9. The aircraft, traveling from Newark, New Jersey, to New Orleans, landed safely after Gomez-Alberto allegedly claimed to have a bomb and attempted to enter the cockpit.
Gomez-Alberto remains jailed without bond on charges including terrorizing, communicating false information about planned arson and being a fugitive from justice, Fox News reported.
Thankfully, the terrifying ordeal ended without injuries. However, there is a troubling question that cannot simply be brushed aside: How did someone deported twice ultimately receive asylum before allegedly putting an entire aircraft at risk?
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected]. Learn more about Abby at abbytrivett.com.
