The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) addressed media reports concerning Omar Pulido-Bastida, a Mexican national who has been charged with spitting on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Los Angeles. The DHS highlighted that Pulido-Bastida is not a U.S. citizen and has a history of violent criminal activities.
Pulido-Bastida, described by some media outlets as an "L.A. man," has prior convictions for robbery and has faced arrests for murder and assault. He was previously deported but re-entered the United States illegally. The DHS criticized what it views as misleading portrayals by the media of individuals like Pulido-Bastida.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “The media is attempting to force feed Americans that this is a ‘L.A. Man’—it's not. This is a criminal illegal alien who should have never been in our country. This previously deported illegal alien criminal spit on an ICE law enforcement officer.” McLaughlin expressed concern over what she sees as intentional misrepresentation by the media regarding crimes committed by illegal aliens.
The DHS provided additional examples where they believe media reports have mischaracterized individuals involved in serious crimes:
- Kilmar Abrego Garcia, referred to as a “Maryland man,” is an illegal alien from El Salvador facing charges related to human smuggling.
- Felix Jeronimo-Rojas, called a “Brooklyn man,” is an illegal alien from Mexico who was detained by ICE after allegedly raping a corpse on a subway train.
- Jose Ibara, labeled as a “Georgia man,” is an illegal alien from Venezuela indicted for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of college student Laken Riley.
