NBC News recently published a report alleging that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents used a young autistic girl as “bait” to coerce her father, Edwards Hip Mejia, into surrendering in Massachusetts.
The story immediately drew attention online, but DHS officials quickly challenged the reporting, labeling it inaccurate and misleading.
Officials said the article misrepresented the sequence of events surrounding the father’s arrest.
Federal authorities explained that Mejia, an illegal immigrant with a criminal history, abandoned his five-year-old daughter in a vehicle while attempting to evade law enforcement.
Officers responded promptly to secure the child and contacted local police to ensure her safety. The child was eventually placed in the care of her grandmother.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized, “ICE agents NEVER used a 5-year-old girl as bait. The criminal target abandoned his own child, creating a dangerous situation that officers had to resolve.”
The story stemmed from video footage showing the child seated next to an ICE vehicle.
NBC and Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra framed the scene as evidence that agents had intentionally put the girl at risk to lure her father.
Mejia’s wife told Telemundo that he had returned home believing he was being followed and that officers had “grabbed” the child.
DHS officials say this portrayal misrepresented the actual events, in which officers acted quickly to protect the child.
DHS outlined that Mejia ignored emergency lights, left the child unattended and fled his vehicle.
Officers immediately intervened, rescuing the girl and notifying local authorities of the abandonment.
Two days later, Mejia was arrested while on his way to work and is now held in ICE custody at the Plymouth, Massachusetts, facility, according to The Gateway Pundit.
McLaughlin highlighted the dangers of misleading media narratives.
“Disgusting smears like these contribute to an increase in assaults against law enforcement,” she said, highlighting that mischaracterizations of events can endanger officers and the broader community.
NBC subsequently updated the article, removing the term “bait” and adding a correction at the bottom acknowledging the initial misrepresentation.
The episode underscores the complex challenges ICE agents face during immigration enforcement.
Officials note that their duties often require balancing public safety with the welfare of minors, particularly in cases involving criminal illegal immigrants.
Legal experts say that accurate reporting is critical to avoid misunderstanding operational procedures and the risks involved in law enforcement activities.
Mejia’s family told Telemundo that they did not view themselves as criminals, despite his prior arrests and current detention. The couple has two U.S.-born children.
Law enforcement agencies continue to review procedures and training to ensure that minors are protected during enforcement operations.
DHS emphasized that the child was never placed in danger by agents and that the agency remains committed to upholding safety and proper protocols.
This incident illustrates broader tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States.
Officials caution that sensationalized coverage can distort public perception and embolden those with hostile intentions toward law enforcement.
DHS and ICE leadership stress that protecting officers, detainees and children remains a top priority, even amid politically charged scrutiny and media mischaracterizations.
