A United Airlines passenger accused of claiming he had a bomb and trying to rush the cockpit has been identified as a Honduran illegal migrant who was previously deported twice, immigration officials told The Post.

Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, 34, allegedly caused the midair emergency Monday night aboard United flight 2174. The flight was traveling from New Jersey to New Orleans when the confrontation unfolded.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Border Patrol arrested Gomez-Alberto on three separate occasions for illegally entering the United States. Those encounters occurred years before the episode aboard the United flight.

Immigration officials said Gomez-Alberto, a native of Honduras, was first arrested near El Indio, Texas, in September 2011. Authorities deported him following that arrest.

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He was arrested again in October 2014 in Columbus, New Mexico, according to immigration officials. Gomez-Alberto was deported from the United States for a second time after that encounter.

On November 10, 2026, ICE lodged a detainer for Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras after he attempted to gain entry to the cockpit during a flight. His criminal history includes felony bomb threat, felony threat—terroristic state offenses, and disorderly conduct. 
 
He has been removed from the country twice and was released a third time, pending removal proceedings, by a judge.
 
Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens who try to HIJACK AIRPLANES are NOT welcome in the United States. — Homeland Security (@DHSgov) November 11, 2026

Despite those two deportations, Gomez-Alberto returned to the United States again. Authorities said he was arrested for a third time in 2019 near the California border community of San Ysidro.

Gomez-Alberto was held in ICE custody following his third arrest, but that detention did not last. A judge ordered his release in January 2020 while removal proceedings remained pending, according to authorities.

The Department of Homeland Security spokesperson also outlined Gomez-Alberto’s criminal history. The spokesperson listed it as “felony bomb threat, felony threat—terroristic state offenses, and disorderly conduct.”

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The federal response after Monday’s incident included a pointed statement about illegal migrants accused of crimes. “Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are NOT welcome in the United States,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

Gomez-Alberto had been living in the Bronx before the flight incident, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office told NOLA.com. ICE lodged a detainer for him Tuesday with the sheriff’s office following the confrontation aboard the plane.

The United flight was carrying 46 passengers and six crew members Monday night. Gomez-Alberto allegedly claimed that he had a bomb and rushed toward the cockpit, according to the airline and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, as reported by local affiliate FOX8.

The flight crew managed to persuade Gomez-Alberto to move toward the rear of the aircraft, according to Air Traffic Control audio. He was then detained in the back of the plane while the crew prepared to bring the aircraft safely into New Orleans.

ILLEGAL ALIEN from Honduras arrested for storming the cockpit of a United Airlines flight on Tuesday out of sanctuary New Jersey while claiming to have a bomb to hijack the plane.

The Democrat Party is committed to ensuring that these homicidal maniacs remain in the U.S. https://t.co/cHTs2dsO0L — Dapper Detective (@Dapper_Det) November 11, 2026

The audio also offered a detail about Gomez-Alberto’s behavior before he allegedly tried to reach the cockpit. “He changed into all black before he started trying to reach the cockpit,” local authorities are heard saying in the recording.

The crew’s response allowed the flight to continue to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Authorities were waiting after the aircraft completed its landing.

Police arrested Gomez-Alberto after the plane arrived at the airport. Court records show he was charged with one count of communicating false information of planned arson and terrorizing.

Authorities said Gomez-Alberto was being held without bail at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center. The ICE detainer lodged Tuesday added an immigration enforcement component to the criminal case following the incident.

A United Airlines spokesperson said the passengers and crew safely arrived at the airport at approximately 11:15 p.m. Despite the alleged bomb claim and cockpit rush, all 46 passengers and six crew members reached New Orleans safely.

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