Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing criticism after federal officials said she promoted a false story about a woman allegedly kidnapped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responded publicly on Friday, posting on X, “Mayor, you pushed a HOAX. There is still time to delete this.”
Background on the Case
The case centers on Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, a 41-year-old Mexican national living illegally in Los Angeles. On July 1, Bass shared a local news story on social media that described Calderon’s alleged abduction, stating, “She’s a mother from L.A. — taken out of her car on her way to work, and then held in a warehouse as officers hoped she would ‘self-deport.’ No hearing. Just fear.”
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has since charged Calderon with conspiracy and making false statements to federal agents. She is currently in immigration custody.
Details of the Alleged Hoax
Calderon claimed she was kidnapped on June 25 by masked men posing as ICE officers in a Jack in the Box parking lot. She said she was taken to the border, pressured to sign deportation papers, and then detained in a warehouse after refusing.
However, according to court documents, surveillance footage showed Calderon calmly leaving the parking lot and getting into a sedan. Nearby police officers were visible in the video, but she did not seek help.
Investigators later discovered that the phone calls Calderon reportedly made from borrowed phones were actually made from her personal phone, disguised to appear anonymous. Authorities located her on July 5 in a Bakersfield shopping center parking lot.
DHS and DOJ Response
DHS said Calderon was never in ICE custody and criticized the false claims for misusing government resources. “This criminal illegal alien scammed innocent Americans for money and diverted limited DHS resources from Los Angeles,” the agency stated.
According to the DOJ, when confronted with the evidence, Calderon and her family maintained the fabricated story and attempted to mislead federal investigators.
GoFundMe Page Removed
Calderon’s daughter created a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for legal expenses and support. A spokesperson for the platform confirmed the page was removed, and no funds were accessed by the family.
Legal Consequences
Calderon faces up to five years in federal prison for conspiracy and another five years for making false statements if convicted.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations continue to investigate the case.
