The Department of Homeland Security has issued a statement regarding a viral video that purportedly depicts an ICE detainment in North Austin. The video, which has garnered significant attention, shows a young child in distress while law enforcement vehicles are visible in the background.
Mayor Pro Tem Jose “Chito” Vela shared the video on social media on October 1, highlighting the emotional scene where a child was reportedly left alone and crying after his mother was detained by ICE at a bus stop. In his post, Vela expressed his outrage, stating, “In no way, shape, or form is a school bus stop the appropriate place for ICE to be conducting law enforcement activities.”
Vela learned of the incident through social media and confirmed details with individuals present during the event. He noted the child’s cries and the frustration of bystanders, emphasizing the inappropriate nature of such law enforcement actions in a location meant for children.
In response to the incident, an ICE spokesperson clarified that during a vehicle stop on October 1, agents encountered a woman identified as an undocumented immigrant. Upon discovering that she was the sole caregiver for minor children, ICE released her approximately ten minutes later. The agency asserts that no children were present during the stop and has not verified a connection between the crying child in the video and the detained woman.
Vela expressed skepticism regarding ICE’s claims of no children being present, stating, “That’s obviously untrue. There’s a child right there. There’s another group of parents that are right there filming this entire interaction.” He called for ICE to release any body or dash cam footage that could clarify the situation.
While Vela has not been in contact with the detained woman or the child, he believes the child was able to attend school after the incident. According to a comment from Leonardo Pelaez, the husband of the individual who filmed the video, the boy was not left alone and insisted on going to school, with his wife waiting with him until the bus arrived.
