Screams and swear words ricochet through Denver Airport as au pair, 27, is detained for overstaying her visa

By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 17:44, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 17:51, 23 July 2026 A barrage of screams and curse words flew across Denver International Airport as a 27-year-old au pair was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.  Plainclothes federal agents nabbed Chantal Alejandra Morales Rojas as she prepared to board a Southwest Airlines flight on Monday following an ultimate frisbee event in Colorado, KDVR reported.  Rojas, a citizen of Ecuador, was taken into ICE custody because she overstayed her visa in the US, the Department of Homeland Security told the Daily Mail.  The au pair entered the US on October 20, 2024, on a visa that allowed her to remain in the country until January 4, 2025, the agency said.  But while she was hauled away by officers, bystanders jumped into action and confronted the agents, a now-viral video showed.  The clip revealed the moment agents approached Rojas on the jetway just before she boarded her flight back to Oakland, California.  She mentioned a lawyer to a male agent dressed in a blue and green short-sleeved collared shirt before emotions grew high and ended with bystanders yelling 'f*** you' and 'f*** ICE' at federal agents.  The federal official then stepped in front of Rojas and said: 'We're gonna be very nice to you, and talk to you very kindly, and with respect. You don't have to look at me.'  Chantal Alejandra Morales Rojas was detained by ICE officers on Monday while boarding her flight to Oakland, California, at Denver International Airport Plainclothed federal agents stopped her from getting on the flight. The Department of Homeland Security said that Rojas has overstayed her US visa and is from Ecuador A woman, who appeared to be taking the video, then interjected, telling Rojas: 'Chantal say nothing, Chantal say nothing at all.'  The federal agent speaking to Rojas then abruptly turned around as the woman added: 'Offer them nothing, show them nothing.'  The male officer then shifted his focus to the woman behind the camera, telling her:  'I'm gonna advise you, you are interfering with a federal warrant. I will charge you with 18 U.S.C. 111,' referring to the law that states it is a crime to interfere with federal officers while they are carrying out official duties.  The agent then pointed toward the end of the jetway facing the entrance of the plane, and told the woman: 'But you can continue on.'  In response, the female said she was going to remain where she was and told the official: 'I am not in your way at all.'  He then turned back around and, along with another agent, led Rojas towards the airport terminal. As this happened, the woman screamed: 'Hey!' as the ICE agent responded, 'you're going to continue on.'  Dramatic scenes played out during Rojas’ detainment, with a woman screaming and cursing at federal agents and airline staff as she was taken away While they brought her outside, several people started banging on the glass windows and shouting in protest The woman continued to shout: 'I don't have to do that!' before shrieking 'help' at the top of her lungs as officers brought Rojas through a door and walked her down onto the runway into a vehicle.  While they brought her outside, several people started banging on the glass windows and shouting.  The federal agent who interacted with Rojas from the beginning then said: 'We're being very nice, very respectful.'  'I don't give a f*** if you're being nice! F*** you! This is f****** evil. You should be ashamed of yourself. Who gives a f*** if you're being polite? F*** you,' one person said. Other irate people shouted along with the woman before a Southwest Airlines employee interjected.  'If you're on this flight and you speak to them like that, you will not board this flight,' the male airline worker said.  The woman responded: 'No! You like ICE? You're into ICE? You like ICE?'  The employee appeared to respond to her, though what he said was unclear.  But the ICE agent, who remained at the scene, told her: 'The pilot is very well aware.'  At one point, a Southwest Airlines employee (left) said: ‘If you’re on this flight and you speak to them like that, you will not board this flight’ 'I don't care what the pilot is aware of,' she responded as the agent tried to talk to her more before walking away.  As he did, she shouted: 'Everybody, this man is harassing a woman! He arrested her for nothing! F*** you! F*** ICE! F*** ICE! F*** ICE!'  When approached for comment over Rojas' detainment, DHS officials said they 'encourage' migrants to self-deport instead of going through instances like this.  'Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now.  'We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return,' the agency added.  When questioned about Southwest Airlines' involvement in the situation, a spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'Southwest complies with applicable state and federal law when asked to share information about Customers.  A GoFundMe has since been launched to help Rojas while she remains in detention at an ICE facility. She has been living ‘lawfully’ in the US since 2023 because she has a J-1 visa for her job as an au pair, the page read 'The airline has provided guidance to Employees to help ensure appropriate legal documentation is presented by law enforcement agencies prior to interactions in the gate areas. Southwest is committed to providing a safe travel experience for all Customers and Employees.'  The company said they 'cannot comment on the details of law enforcement activities,' and that the person who filmed the video 'traveled to their destination that evening on a later flight.'  A GoFundMe has since been launched to help Rojas while she remains in detention at an ICE facility.  According to the fundraiser, she has been living 'lawfully' in the US since 2023 because she has a J-1 visa for her job as an au pair.  Rojas currently has a 'recent pending application with the immigration authorities that would provide her with status,' the page read.