Greyhound alters policy for immigrants

PHOENIX — Greyhound Lines Inc. is no longer allowing U.S. authorities to drop off immigrant families inside bus stations, forcing those who have been released from custody to wait outside until they have a ticket.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed to The Associated Press on Friday that it had been asked to drop off migrants outside facilities instead of busing them in.

ICE for years has dropped off migrants at Greyhound stations, largely in Phoenix, after releasing them pending court hearings to decide whether they can stay in the country. From the stations, they travel to their intended destination in the United States.

Greyhound spokeswoman Crystal Booker said the Dallas-based company is experiencing an “unprecedented increase of individuals” at certain bus terminals and that travelers need tickets to get in. She said the policy applies to anyone who lacks a ticket.

“Our priority is to safely and efficiently get customers to their destinations,” Ms. Booker said in a statement.

Immigrants who are released by ICE don’t usually have prior notice and can’t make travel arrangements until they arrive at the station. Most of them don’t have money and have to wait on a relative or advocacy group to buy their ticket.

Crash investigation

HEJERE, Ethiopia — Analysis of the flight recorders of the crashed Ethiopian Airlines plane has begun, the airline said Friday, and The New York Times reported that the pilot requested permission “in a panicky voice” to return shortly after takeoff as the plane dipped up and down and appeared to gain startling speed.

President Donald Trump, in a phone call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, praised the state-owned airline “as a strong institution” and affirmed U.S. support after Sunday’s plane crash killed 157 people, Mr. Abiy’s office said. The two shared condolences in a rare public outreach by Mr. Trump to an African leader.

Forensic DNA work began in identifying remains, and Muslim families held prayers for the dead, anxious to have something to bury as soon as possible. The dead came from 35 countries.

Venezuela flights halted

FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines is stopping flights to Venezuela because of safety concerns after the pilots’ union told its members to refuse to work the flights.

American was the last major U.S. carrier to fly to the troubled country. It flew daily to Caracas and Maracaibo from Miami.

The airline said Friday that it temporarily stopped the flights as it evaluated conditions in Venezuela, where civil unrest has increased amid opposition to President Nicolas Maduro.

“American will not operate to countries we don’t consider safe,” said spokesman Ross Feinstein.

The airline’s decision followed a union president’s order Thursday night that American Airlines pilots refuse Venezuela assignments.

Daniel Carey of the Allied Pilots Association noted that the State Department issued a warning about crime and detention of American citizens in Venezuela. The U.S. pulled its last diplomats out of the country Thursday.

Mr. Carey closed his memo by writing, “To reiterate: Do not accept any trips to Venezuela.”