DHS rebukes NBC report alleging ICE used autistic child to pressure surrender

DHS on Thursday dismissed NBC News's report that ICE used a 5-year-old girl with autism to pressure her father to surrender, calling the account a “disgusting smear.” Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, said she was told of the allegations by NBC’s reporter and rejected them immediately, urging journalists to withhold judgment until official information was available.

McLaughlin said the individual targeted by the law enforcement operation had past criminal convictions for domestic violence and strangulation. She said the arrest occurred after a proper stop by ICE officers, who then pursued the suspect as he fled from the vehicle, during which he allegedly confronted officers while his 5-year-old daughter remained nearby. She described the agents as having acted with “total professionalism” and said they stayed with the child to ensure she was safe until she could be placed in proper care. “Keep in mind, these men and women of ICE are fathers and mothers, and they are sons and daughters,” she added, noting that they are people who want to return home to their families each night.

The controversy centered on video obtained by Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra that shows the young girl outside her home in Leominster, Massachusetts, sitting beside a law enforcement SUV and holding a bottle while several male officers stand nearby around her residence last Tuesday. NBC reported that the father, Edwards Hip Mejia, told his wife he believed he was being followed and drove home; she alleged that officers then grabbed their daughter as she stood at the home, and the mother is heard telling investigators that their daughter is on the autism spectrum and asking for her return. The article originally published on Sept. 23 carried the headline that ICE held the girl to pressure the father to surrender, a representation that NBC later revised.

A correction was added later Tuesday: “An earlier version of this article mischaracterized the activities of ICE agents in the video. The article has been updated.” Fox News’ coverage indicated NBC updated its framing and headline to reflect that the video showed agents with a young child while attempting to arrest the father, rather than portraying the child as the primary leverage.

The NBC report and subsequent corrections occurred amid ongoing scrutiny of immigration‑enforcement practices and media narratives about how operations are conducted. The video was obtained from Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra, which has reported on the case from Leominster, a community that has seen heightened attention around immigration enforcement in recent months. The mother told Telemundo that their child is on the autism spectrum and pleaded for the return of her daughter.

The incident comes as political attention to immigration enforcement remains a focal point in federal policy debates. The Trump administration, cited in accompanying reporting, has framed illegal immigration as a central policy priority, a stance that has influenced how agencies like ICE allocate resources and coordinate with local and federal partners. A pre-enforcement meeting involving ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies was held in Chicago on Jan. 26, 2025, illustrating the ongoing emphasis on enforcement operations across the country.

DHS said its officers conduct operations with professional standards and care for individuals involved, including minors, and urged outlets to verify facts with official sources before publishing on sensitive enforcement actions. The department also emphasized the importance of responsible reporting that does not stigmatize law enforcement personnel or their families as investigations unfold.

The department’s brief came after Fox News and other outlets highlighted that NBC had issued corrections and revised its framing of the incident, underscoring how evolving information can alter public understanding of enforcement actions and the role of media in portraying such operations. While NBC’s updated report acknowledged the effort to arrest Mejia, DHS emphasized that the core facts cited by its law enforcement partners—namely, the suspect’s flight from a lawful stop and the care provided to a minor present at the scene—were not inconsistent with standard operating procedures.

As the discussion over immigration policy continues to shape public debate and political messaging, DHS reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accuracy in describing enforcement activities. The department also reiterated the broader principle that ICE personnel are individuals with families and responsibilities, and that safeguarding the welfare of children encountered during enforcement operations is a priority. Officials cautioned that misinformation can undermine public trust in federal agents who operate under challenging and dynamic conditions, and they called on reporters and commentators to rely on official information as investigations proceed.