ICE Faces Outcry After Autistic 5-Year-Old Girl Surrounded by Agents During Arrest Attempt
A five-year-old girl with autism was surrounded by armed federal agents outside her family's Massachusetts home in an immigration enforcement operation that has ignited a national firestorm over how America polices its borders.The family's lawyer alleges US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers deliberately used the child to lure her parents outside so they could be detained, a claim the Department of Homeland Security has furiously denied, calling it a 'disgusting smear'.Video footage from the scene in Leominster shows the young girl standing near tactical officers beside a federal vehicle as her mother's desperate pleas echo in the background.Now, with the father released on bond and the little girl reportedly in therapy, the incident has become a lightning rod in the escalating battle over immigration tactics under the current administration.What the Family and Their Lawyer Say HappenedVideo obtained by Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra captures several agents in tactical gear positioned near the child outside the family home. In the recording, her mother can be heard telling officers that her daughter 'has autism spectrum' while begging them to return her.The family's lawyer, Jacob Geller, told reporters that ICE agents attempted to use the presence of the young girl to draw her parents out of the house so they could be arrested.According to Geller, an agent is heard saying 'Your daughter? Come here so we can see some IDs. You're going to have to come out', a directive that appeared explicitly aimed at coaxing the father outside.Geller said the father, Edwards Hip Mejia, has lived in the United States since around 2000 and has been in deportation proceedings for several years. His wife reportedly told journalists she has largely remained inside their home since the encounter, gripped by fear for her family's safety.Community members have since rallied around the family, delivering food and support as neighbours express alarm over the psychological toll on the children.
Government Response and DenialsThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has categorically denied any use of the child as bait or coercive leverage. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin described the social media accounts of the incident as a 'disgusting smear' and insisted that ICE agents 'never used a 5-year-old girl as 'bait'', claiming instead that Mejia had fled from a lawful stop and 'abandoned his child in the car.'
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McLaughlin's statement further asserted that officers ensured the child's safety until local police arrived to take custody. She characterised the operation as a standard law-enforcement action against a target with prior arrests, a view disputed by the family and their legal representatives.The DHS rebuttal has itself become controversial, with officials reaffirming that officers acted properly and that the earlier reporting, including headline language implying ICE used a child as bait, was inaccurate. Multiple outlets reported that certain articles were updated or corrected after initial publication to reflect the government's narrative of the encounter.Father Released — But Damage May Already Be DoneMejia was detained two days after the filmed encounter during a separate traffic stop as he left for work, according to Geller. He was held at Plymouth County Correctional Facility pending immigration proceedings.A judge then released Mejia on bond after determining there was insufficient evidence he posed a danger to the community, allowing him to reunite with his family. Geller said the decision brought 'overjoyed' relief to his client and emphasised the strain the situation placed on the daughter's wellbeing.Yet medical professionals and local officials warn that the emotional scars may linger. The child has reportedly experienced heightened anxiety and been referred for therapy. Members of the Leominster school system noted that many children in the community are now living in fear of immigration enforcement.The Massachusetts case is not isolated. In Minnesota, a five-year-old boy was detained alongside his father by ICE agents, prompting similar allegations that children are being caught up in aggressive tactics. Critics argue the current administration prioritises enforcement over humane treatment — and that the youngest victims are paying the price.Members of the Leominster school system and health providers noted that many children in the community are experiencing heightened fear related to immigration enforcement actions.
The Leominster incident is not isolated. Nationally, immigration enforcement actions involving minors have attracted criticism. In Minnesota, a five-year-old boy named Liam Conejo Ramos was detained alongside his father by ICE agents, leading to claims he was used to check for additional household members after the father's apprehension, allegations echoed by school officials and local leaders.Critics argue that enforcement tactics under the current administration prioritise aggressive operations over community safety and humane treatment, particularly when they involve families with mixed immigration statuses or asylum claims. Opponents call for increased oversight and reforms to ensure children's welfare is protected during immigration enforcement activities.
