DHS Debunks Fake News Media Narratives from June

From smears about ICE racial profiling to lies about ICE targeting youth shelters, DHS has been holding the media accountable for spreading disinformation to the American people

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a non-exhaustive list of facts, to set the record straight on numerous false and misleading stories that have been dumped by the media and on social media during the month of June.

The fake narratives include:

ICE Facilities are Overcrowding and Inmates are Starving with No Medical Assistance

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• Claims there is overcrowding or subprime conditions in ICE facilities are categorically FALSE.
• All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers.
• ICE actually has higher detention quality standards than most U.S. detention spaces actual U.S. citizens.
• Despite a historic number of injunctions, DHS is working overtime to remove these illegal aliens from detention centers to their final destination: home.

Less than 10% of Immigrants taken into ICE Custody since October had Serious Criminal Convictions

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• FALSE. In President Trump’s first 100 days, 70% of ICE arrests were criminal illegal aliens with convictions or pending charges.
• Secretary Noem has unleashed ICE to target the worst of the worst—including gang members, murderers, and rapists.
• Claims there is overcrowding or subprime conditions in ICE facilities are categorically FALSE.
• All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers.
• ICE actually has higher detention quality standards than most U.S. detention spaces actual U.S. citizens.
• Despite a historic number of injunctions, DHS is working overtime to remove these illegal aliens from detention centers to their final destination: home.

A Massachusetts High School Illegal Alien was Held in Solitary Confinement

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• Marcelo Gomes, an illegal alien from Brazil, was NOT in solitary confinement.
• The Burlington facility where he was detained is not even equipped for solitary confinement.

ICE is “Racial Profiling” – Resulting in U.S. Citizens being Arrested

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• Any claims individuals have been “targeted” by law enforcement because of their skin color are disgusting and categorically FALSE. These types of smears are designed to demonize and villainize our brave ICE law enforcement.
• This kind of garbage has led to a 500% increase in assaults on ICE officers. Politicians and activists must turn the temperature down and tone down their rhetoric.
• DHS enforcement operations are highly targeted, and officers do their due diligence. We know who we are targeting ahead of time.
• If and when we do encounter individuals subject to arrest, our law enforcement is trained to ask a series of questions to determine status and removability.
• The real reason for the arrest of these U.S. citizens is they ASSAULTED and OBSTRUCTED law enforcement.  

Protests in Los Angeles were “Peaceful”

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• Sanctuary politicians and the media have falsely claimed the riots in Los Angeles are “peaceful.”
• Rioters were throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at law enforcement, defacing public property, setting cars on fire, defacing buildings, assaulting law enforcement, and burning American flags.

DHS Provided No Advance Notice to Los Angeles Police Department Prior to Enforcement

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• The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was notified two days before the ICE operation began in LA – yet it still took LAPD two hours to respond to calls for help from our federal law enforcement on June 6.
• During those two hours thousands of rioters gathered outside a federal law enforcement building and assaulted ICE law enforcement officers, slashed tires, defaced buildings and taxpayer funded property.

ICE Targeted Nannies at Parks

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• Claims being spread on social media that ICE has conducted operations at Douglas Park to target and arrest nannies are unequivocally FALSE.
• These are the type of lies being spread to demonize our brave ICE law enforcement who risk their lives to remove criminal illegal aliens including suspected terrorists, gang members, murderers, and rapists from American communities.
• The facts are ICE, and our federal partners, are targeting the worst of the worst.

ICE Arrested a 6-Year-old with Leukemia at an LA Immigration Court

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• The implication that ICE would deny a child the medical care they need is flatly FALSE, and it is an insult to the men and women of federal law enforcement.
• This family had chosen to appeal their case —which had already been thrown out by an immigration judge — and will remain in ICE custody until it is resolved.
• The child, “N.M.Z,” has not required chemotherapy in over a year and is seen regularly by medical professionals while in custody.

Secretary Noem Watched an ICE Raid on the Home of a Pregnant Lady

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• FALSE. At this house was an illegal alien from Mexico who had previously been deported. His criminal history included drug trafficking and assault.
• ICE had a warrant for this illegal alien’s arrest.

Border Patrol Dislocated an Illegal Alien’s Shoulder

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• On June 21, Border Patrol Agents arrested an illegal alien who tried to evade law enforcement. The illegal alien ran, then turned and swung a weed whacker directly at an agent’s face. He then fled through a busy intersection and raised the weed whacker again at the agent.
• The illegal alien refused to comply every step of the way—resisting commands, fighting handcuffs, and refusing to identify himself.
• The agents took appropriate action and followed their training to use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve the situation in a manner that prioritizes the safety of the public and our officers.
• Reports officers dislocated his shoulder are FALSE. He was offered medical care which he declined.

DHS Agents Entered UCLA Medical Building

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• Border Patrol agents apprehended two Iranian nationals unlawfully present in the U.S.—both flagged as subjects of national security interest.
• When one experienced a medical emergency, agents immediately contacted EMS and escorted her to the hospital.
• Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) presence was only a security precaution to guard the subject receiving medical care—a standard procedure for any individual requiring medical attention.

An “L.A. man” Faced 8 Years in Jail for Spitting on ICE Agent

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• Omar Pulido-Bastida, is a previously deported Mexican national – NOT a LA man.
• He is facing federal assault charges for allegedly SPITTING on an ICE agent.

ICE Tried to Stake-out the Dodgers’ Stadium, but were Denied Access

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• In reality, this had nothing to do with the Dodgers. CBP vehicles were in the stadium parking lot very briefly, unrelated to any operation or enforcement.

CBP Detained Alistair Kitchen at Los Angeles International Airport for his Political Beliefs

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• Allegations that Alistair Kitchen was arrested for political beliefs are unequivocally false. The individual in question was denied entry because he gave false information on his ESTA application regarding drug use.
• If a traveler violates the terms of their ESTA application, they may be subject to detention and removal. Using the ESTA is a privilege, not a right, and only those who respect our laws and follow the proper procedures will be welcomed.
• It is standard practice when a subject is removed from the country, their travel documents and phone are placed into a packet and given to the airline.

ICE Failed to Provide a Pregnant Illegal Alien with Medical Care, Causing a Miscarriage

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• This reporting is absolutely FALSE. Iris Dayana Monterroso-Lemus had FULL medical, prenatal care, including an ultrasound and OB-GYN visit, dental care, and medication. She was also admitted to a hospital and saw multiple nurses.
• As soon as she identified the distress on April 29, ICE provided immediate medical assistance and transferred her to a hospital.
• Monterroso-Lemus was arrested twice for child abuse/neglect with the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office. She also has an active warrant for homicide in Guatemala.

ICE Targeted Youth Shelters in Florida

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• Allegations ICE staked out a state-run children’s shelter or the offices of the provider of the shelter in the Florida Keys to arrest illegal aliens are FALSE.
• The previous administration lost ~300,000 unaccompanied children—many of these innocent children were trafficked and exploited. DHS is now leading efforts to conduct welfare checks on these children to ensure they are safe and not being exploited.
• Unlike the previous administration, President Trump and Secretary Noem take the responsibility to protect children seriously and will continue to work with federal law enforcement to reunite children with their families.

ICE Arrested the Wife of a Trump-Supporting Marine Corps Veteran

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• FALSE. In fact, ICE detained a SERIAL CRIMINAL illegal alien.
• Yenifer Correa Ganan’s criminal record includes three arrests for assault and violating a protective order.
• She entered the U.S. illegally on January 10, 2024, and was RELEASED into the country by the Biden Administration.

ICE Arrested a Journalist Known for Covering Immigration

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• Accusations Mario Guevara was arrested by ICE because he is a journalist are completely FALSE.
• Mario Guevera was arrested by Dekalb County, Georgia police for willful obstruction after he refused to comply with local police orders to move out of the middle of the street. Following his arrest by local authorities, ICE placed a detainer on him. Following his release, he was turned over to ICE custody.
• This El Salvador national is in ICE custody because he entered the country illegally in 2004.

CBP Denied Entry to a Norwegian over a Meme of the Vice President

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• Claims Mads Mikkelsen was denied entry because of a JD Vance meme are FALSE.
• In reality, Mads Mikkelson’s admitted drug use which caused him to be denied.

ICE Agents Laughed at Sobbing a Wife after Detaining her Husband

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• The facts are on May 19, 2025, ICE arrested Roberto Diego Alvarez Oliva—an illegal alien from Peru who entered the country under President Biden. He had a final order of removal from a judge.
• The allegations Alvarez’s wife made are FALSE. Alvarez’s wife was not even present at the time of the arrest she claims to have witnessed.
• Officers exhibited the utmost professionalism and courtesy. They even offered to deliver Alvarez’s car keys to his house versus leaving it stranded on the street, since it was the family’s only vehicle.

DHS Deported a Father after a Traffic Stop

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• Hilario Martinez Garcia is a criminal illegal alien whose rap sheet includes domestic violence and felony burglary charges.
• Attempts to cast him as sympathetic figure ignore the facts and insult the victims of his crimes. He was deported and is no longer a threat to the safety of Americans.

DHS Hired a 22-Year-old “Intern” to Lead Counterterrorism

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• The Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Undersecretary has directly overseen efforts to reform this office and has tasked several staffers to assist with this.
• DHS has a robust counterterrorism program, and the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) office played an insignificant and ineffective role in broader efforts.
• Unfortunately, under the Biden administration, CP3 was weaponized against political opponents and its main purpose was to funnel money to progressive groups.

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By: George ReresAugust 12, 2025

Common Airport Crimes and How to Defend Against Charges

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How to Fight Common Charges After an Airport Arrest

More than 35 million passengers moved through Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in 2024, making it the 19th busiest airport in the country. The airport is an essential hub for international travel and cargo shipping, but for some people, what should have been an easy visit to the airport turns into a criminal justice nightmare after they’re arrested. Keep reading to find out the most common criminal charges in airports and what you can do if you are arrested.

Drug Possession and Trafficking

International airports, in particular, are known for drug crimes, including possession and trafficking. Airports use a variety of tools and security techniques, such as drug-sniffing dogs and body and luggage scanners, to identify people who may be trying to go through the airport with controlled substances. Having even a small amount of a controlled substance in an airport can result in serious charges. In some cases, it can even be a federal offense.  Under normal circumstances, an officer would need cause or a warrant to search a personal item, but this isn’t the case in an airport if you’re flying. Agents can screen your luggage and even open it to ensure you aren’t carrying drugs. But this doesn’t mean that you don’t have defense options if you’re arrested. An attorney can evaluate your case and determine what defense strategies make the most sense, whether arguing lack of intent or mistake of fact.

Theft Crimes

The airport is full of random people with random bags, and this makes it a common target for theft crimes. Theft charges in an airport can involve someone being accused of stealing from other passengers or from a store within the terminal. Shoplifting is a common occurrence, and bags and items are often stolen if left unattended for even a few seconds. Airports have sophisticated surveillance systems, and this footage is commonly used to identify defendants and as evidence in court, which is something a defense attorney must overcome. In some cases, the footage may not clearly show the defendant’s face or any identifying marks, which may provide a way to argue that the video isn’t clear enough to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt. One of the most common defense strategies for theft crimes is arguing a lack of intent. Most theft crimes in Florida require the defendants to have knowingly and willfully acted to deprive the rightful owner of the object in question. If the defense team can successfully cast doubt that the defendant had this intent, it can lead to a dismissal of charges or an acquittal. Suppose a person reports their luggage stolen, and security footage identifies the defendant taking the bag. However, the defendant’s luggage was the same brand, style, and color. If the defendant believed that the bag was theirs, it could be a simple mistake.

Bringing Firearms into the Airport

It’s a common crime for a person to forget they have a firearm in their luggage or on their person and attempt to go through the airport’s security screening. This can result in serious charges and can have life changing effects. While there are a number of regulations regarding bringing firearms in checked baggage, bringing them into the airport terminal itself, especially past a security checkpoint, can be a criminal offense. Possessing other prohibited items, such as a knife, brass knuckles, or specific explosive devices, can also be a criminal offense.

Disorderly Conduct

Airports can be stressful for even the most experienced travelers, but when tempers rise, it can result in criminal charges. Disorderly conduct has multiple definitions under Florida law, but two of these are behavior that affects “the peace and quiet of persons who may witness them” and “such conduct as to constitute a breach of the peace.”

Disorderly conduct charges can result from arguing with airport staff or other travelers or refusing to follow instructions given by TSA agents or airport personnel.  Disorderly conduct is generally a misdemeanor under Florida law, but it’s still a serious charge that requires legal representation. An attorney may be able to negotiate a plea deal to avoid jail time or get the charges dismissed entirely by providing context that explains the behavior, such as having a medical episode.

Assault and Battery

When arguments escalate, it can end in a physical altercation and criminal charges for assault or battery. Assault is the attempt of physical violence on another person or making threats of doing so, while battery is when the violence actually occurs. Allegations involving battery on a TSA agent or a member of the airline staff can be especially serious and are prosecuted aggressively.  One of the most common defense strategies for assault or battery charges is that the defendant was acting in self-defense or defense of others. Other options an attorney might talk with you about include arguing that the physical contact was an accident or that it didn’t meet the requirements for criminal battery.  Your first call after being charged with an airport crime should be to an experienced criminal defense attorney, such as the team at George Reres Law, PA.

Call 954-543-1186to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.