The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a strong rebuke on recent media reports and claims by Democratic politicians alleging that U.S. citizen children are being deported.
The agency asserts that these narratives are false and irresponsible, designed to demonize Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who are reportedly facing a significant increase in assaults.
According to the DHS, the recent cases cited in these reports involve mothers with final orders of deportation who made the decision to leave the United States with their U.S. citizen children rather than separating from them.
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THE FACTS:
Jenny Carolina Lopez-Villela: Ms. Lopez-Villela illegally entered the U.S. on three separate occasions. Following her initial entry in September 2019, she and her older daughter were deemed inadmissible and received final orders of removal in March 2020. When taken into ICE custody in April 2025, Ms. Lopez-Villela chose to bring her younger daughter, a U.S. citizen, with her to Honduras, presenting a valid U.S. passport for the child.
Reachel Alexas Morales-Valle: Ms. Morales-Valle entered the country illegally in 2013 and received a final order of deportation in 2015. In February 2025, she was arrested by the Kenner Police Department in Louisiana for traffic violations. Subsequently taken into ICE custody in April 2025, Ms. Morales-Valle elected to bring both of her children, who are U.S. citizens, with her to Honduras, presenting valid U.S. passports for each.
The DHS said in a statement that in both instances, ICE offered the mothers the option of having their children placed with a designated safe individual. However, both mothers chose to be removed from the country along with their children.
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“DHS takes its responsibility to protect children seriously,” the agency stated in a release. “Parents, who are here illegally, can take control of their departure.”
The DHS further highlighted the CBP Home App, a tool initiated by the previous Trump administration, which allows individuals residing in the country without legal status to manage their departure voluntarily. The agency suggests this option provides a pathway for potential future legal return to the U.S.
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