DHS Secretary Kristi Noem joined ICE agents during a tense raid in California, sparking outrage after they left the home of a pregnant mother empty-handed.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem participated in an early morning ICE raid Thursday at a Huntington Park, California, home, targeting a man with a criminal record.
The operation, involving heavily armed and masked agents, took place at the residence of Sabrina Medina, a 28-year-old pregnant mother of four. Medina, a U.S. citizen, recounted her fear: “I was shaking. I was scared. I’ve never gone through anything like this.”
ICE agents, shown on surveillance footage entering her home, were searching for David Garcia, an undocumented man with a criminal history. Medina said her husband is named Jorge and wasn’t present. DHS later said the target was a previously deported felon from Mexico.
Noem, wearing a bulletproof vest, observed from outside. Agents left empty-handed.
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn condemned the incident: “I’m very disappointed in this government right now.”
Medina, four months pregnant, fears deportation could tear her family apart: “I’m not going to be able to pay my rent.”