DHS sets the record straight, as media fell for another hoax designed to demonize law enforcement
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) set the record straight on misleading and false reporting that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “secretly deported” a so-called “Allentown grandfather” to Guatemala. Additionally, reporting claimed he “died” in ICE custody.
The Morning Call, an Allentown, Pa., newspaper published the following headline on July 20, 2025, without any facts from DHS about major allegations made against law enforcement: "Allentown grandfather's family was told he died in ICE custody. Then they learned he's alive – in a hospital in Guatemala, they say."
The family of the individual allegedly told reporters he was handcuffed and taken by federal officers at a green card appointment in Philadelphia. This claim is completely false. There is no record of the man appearing at any green card appointment in or around the area of Philadelphia on June 20, 2025.
Furthermore, ICE has not deported Luis Leon—a Chilean national—to Guatemala, as his family members have said. ICE’s only record of this individual entering the U.S. is in 2015 from Chile under the visa waiver program.
According to reporting by the Associated Press, the Guatemalan Institute of Migration—which coordinates with ICE on all deportations from the U.S. to Guatemala—claims they have not received anyone matching the name, age or nationality of Luis Leon back into Guatemala.
According to the report, the family alleges a woman claiming to be an immigration lawyer called and offered to help them but did not disclose how she knew about the case. The family claims this individual also told them Leon died in ICE custody.
“ICE never arrested or deported Luis Leon to Guatemala. Nor does ICE ‘disappear’ people – this is a categorical lie being peddled to demonize ICE agents who are already facing an 830-percent increase in assaults against them. This was a hoax peddled by the media who rushed to press without pausing to corroborate the facts with DHS. This was journalistic malpractice,” said Assistant Secretary McLaughlin.
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