The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released a statement rejecting what it called lies spread by the mainstream media, far-left activists and sanctuary politicians about the shooting of a criminal illegal alien by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Austin, Texas.
"Sanctuary politicians and the mainstream media have wasted no time in spreading lies about an ICE officer-involved shooting of an illegal alien in Austin, Texas," said Secretary Markwayne Mullin. "Contrary to their claims, this person is an illegal alien who has no legal status to be here and has been given some of the best medical care he's ever received in his life."
DHS said the man entered the country illegally under the Biden Administration, had no valid work permit, no protective status and a final order of removal from a Department of Justice immigration judge. His work permit expired in 2025, and DHS noted a work permit does not grant legal status.
The department also addressed several specific claims. It said ICE does not advise on medical procedures at a hospital, that the man is receiving around-the-clock care including pain medication, and that he slept on a bed at the detention facility after being released from hospital. DHS confirmed the man was ordered removed in absentia, saying legal obligations do not end because someone's address changed.
DHS said the man was the subject of a targeted vehicle stop, not indiscriminately targeted, and that resisting officers and evading arrest is a felony and a federal crime. It linked the attempt to evade arrest to webinars and resources it said sanctuary politicians provided on defying ICE, naming Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Dan Goldman, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
"No amount of smears and false narratives will slow down ICE from doing its job by removing dangerous illegal aliens from our communities and making America safe again," Mullin said. DHS said ICE will not be leaving Austin.