The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a statement to clarify details about a recent viral video showing the arrest of Juliana Milena Ojeda-Montoya by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Massachusetts. The video, which has circulated widely online, was described by DHS as misleading and omitting significant information.
According to DHS, Ojeda-Montoya, an Ecuadorian national, had previously entered the United States illegally in February 2023 near Lukeville, Arizona. She was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol and later released into the community under the Biden administration in March 2023. In August 2025, she reportedly stabbed her coworker multiple times with scissors and threw a trash can at her victim.
On November 6, ICE conducted a targeted operation to arrest Ojeda-Montoya. During the vehicle stop, both her child and husband were present in the car. DHS noted that the child was sitting on Ojeda-Montoya’s lap in the front seat rather than being secured in a car seat.
Officers informed Ojeda-Montoya of an outstanding warrant for her arrest and asked her to give custody of the child to her husband, Carlos Zapata Rivera. She initially refused until Zapata Rivera claimed to have a medical episode. Emergency medical personnel responded but found no evidence of any legitimate medical emergency; Zapata Rivera declined medical assistance and showed no signs of distress shortly afterward.
Both parents stated they were willing to place their child into state custody during the encounter. However, after learning he could face immigration charges if he did not take custody of his child, Zapata Rivera left with the child.
During Ojeda-Montoya’s arrest, she resisted officers while a crowd gathered nearby. According to DHS officials, some individuals in this group directed obscenities as well as death threats and antisemitic remarks toward law enforcement officers.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin addressed media coverage of the incident: “Once again, the media ran with a FALSE narrative about our brave ICE law enforcement officers. As usual, here’s the REAL story: ICE targeted a known criminal who repeatedly stabbed her coworker,” McLaughlin said.“Medical personnel found there was no legitimate medical emergency. He was even caught on video on his feet and coherent moments later. Our law enforcement officers requested the father take custody of the child, but he refused. He quickly decided to leave with the child once he realized if he didn’t take custody ICE would arrest him for an immigration violation.”
Ojeda-Montoya is currently being held at Cumberland County Jail in Scarborough, Maine pending removal proceedings by ICE authorities.
Zapata Rivera also entered the country illegally on February 22, 2023; he too was released under current administration policies.
