LA Mayor Karen Bass faces criticism after promoting a false ICE kidnapping story now revealed as an alleged hoax.

Mayor Bass Under Fire for Spreading Unfounded ICE Kidnapping Claim

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, is at the center of controversy after promoting a now-discredited story about a local woman’s alleged kidnapping by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took to its official X account Friday to rebuke Bass, stating, "Mayor, you pushed a HOAX. There is still time to delete this."

The incident involves Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, a 41-year-old Mexican national living illegally in Los Angeles, who has now been charged with conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers. On July 1, Bass had amplified a news story regarding Calderon's supposed abduction, writing, "She’s a mother from L.A. — taken out of her car on her way to work, and then held in a warehouse as officers hoped she would ‘self-deport.’ No hearing. Just fear. This doesn't make anyone safer."

However, federal authorities allege that Calderon’s account was entirely fabricated. The DOJ states that Calderon claimed to have been abducted by masked men in unmarked cars at a fast-food parking lot, taken to the border, and pressured by ICE to sign self-deportation documents. She further alleged that when she refused, she was held in a warehouse indefinitely. This prompted a missing person investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and a subsequent DHS inquiry when Calderon was not found in ICE custody.

During the probe, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) uncovered inconsistencies. Phone records showed that calls supposedly made from borrowed phones were actually placed from Calderon's own device, which was intentionally masked. Surveillance footage contradicted her claims of abduction, showing Calderon calmly leaving the parking lot and entering a nearby car, with a marked LAPD vehicle in close proximity and no apparent distress.

Federal Charges and Political Fallout

Federal affidavits allege that when presented with evidence disproving her story, Calderon and others lied to agents and attempted to obstruct the investigation. HSI agents eventually located Calderon in Bakersfield, California, where she persisted in her claims. The case gained further attention after Calderon’s daughter set up a GoFundMe page to solicit funds for her mother’s supposed kidnapping. GoFundMe has since removed the page and confirmed the family did not access any money raised.

DHS and Republican officials criticized Mayor Bass for amplifying the story. The Republican National Committee’s research arm commented, "Karen Bass spreads a false story demonizing ICE agents." According to the DOJ, Calderon now faces up to five years in federal prison for both conspiracy and making false statements if convicted.

The controversy has sparked renewed debate over the responsibilities of public officials in sharing unverified information and the importance of verifying claims before amplifying them to the public. As the case proceeds, questions about the spread of misinformation and the role of social media in public discourse remain front and center.