In a stunning turn of events, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is under fire for sharing a story about an alleged ICE kidnapping that federal authorities now claim was fabricated.
According to Fox News, the controversy centers on Bass promoting a narrative about Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, a 41-year-old Mexican national, whose reported abduction by immigration officials has been deemed a hoax, leading to criminal charges against her.
On June 25, Calderon, an undocumented immigrant living in Los Angeles, claimed she was forcibly taken by masked men in unmarked vehicles from a Jack in the Box parking lot. She alleged that these men, posing as immigration officers, drove her to the border and demanded she sign self-deportation documents. According to Calderon, when she refused, she was taken to a warehouse and held against her will indefinitely.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded by launching a missing person investigation into Calderon’s disappearance. They notified the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assist in determining her whereabouts. However, DHS quickly confirmed that Calderon was not in their custody and initiated a separate probe into her claims.
As Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) delved deeper, inconsistencies in Calderon’s story began to surface. Investigators found that phone calls she claimed to have made from borrowed devices were made from her cell phone, disguised to appear as unknown numbers. Additionally, surveillance footage from the Jack in the Box parking lot on June 25 showed Calderon calmly leaving the area and entering a nearby sedan. The video also revealed that a marked LAPD vehicle was nearby, yet Calderon made no attempt to seek help or alert officers. When confronted with this evidence, Calderon and others allegedly provided false information to federal agents. According to an affidavit, they attempted to mislead investigators by hiding their location during the investigation.
On July 5, HSI agents located Calderon at a shopping plaza parking lot in Bakersfield, California. Even then, she maintained her story, insisting she had been abducted by masked individuals and detained with others. Despite her claims, authorities moved forward with charges based on the mounting evidence against her.
On July 1, before Calderon’s story was debunked, Mayor Karen Bass, a known critic of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, shared a link to a local news report about the alleged incident. She described Calderon as a mother taken from her car on her way to work and held in a warehouse. Bass stated, "She’s a mother from L.A. — taken out of her car on her way to work, and then held in a warehouse as officers hoped she would ‘self-deport.’"
In a follow-up comment, Bass added, "No hearing. Just fear. This doesn't make anyone safer." Her remarks drew sharp criticism after the Department of Justice announced charges against Calderon for conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers. The DHS publicly rebuked Bass on its official X account, stating, "Mayor, you pushed a HOAX. There is still time to delete this."
DHS further criticized Calderon, saying, "Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon was NEVER arrested or kidnapped by ICE or bounty hunters—this criminal illegal alien scammed innocent Americans for money and diverted limited DHS resources from Los Angeles." Additionally, RNC Research commented on X, asserting, "Karen Bass spreads a false story demonizing ICE agents." Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Bass’ office for a statement but received no response before publication.
Amid the unfolding drama, Calderon’s daughter set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds related to her mother’s supposed abduction. A spokesperson for GoFundMe confirmed to Fox News Digital that the page was taken down. They also noted that the family did not access any of the money that had been collected through the fundraiser.
Calderon now faces serious legal repercussions for her alleged actions, including charges of conspiracy and providing false information to federal authorities. If convicted, she could face up to five years in federal prison for each charge, totaling a potential maximum of 10 years. She is currently in U.S. immigration custody as the case proceeds.
The incident has sparked a broader debate about the spread of misinformation related to immigration enforcement. Critics argue that unverified claims can strain public resources and damage trust in institutions. Meanwhile, the backlash against Mayor Bass highlights the challenges public officials face in addressing sensitive issues like immigration policy.
The story has left many in Los Angeles questioning the reliability of initial reports surrounding immigration enforcement actions. Some community members expressed frustration over the diversion of law enforcement resources to investigate what appears to be a fabricated claim. Others remain concerned about the broader implications for undocumented individuals who may fear coming forward with legitimate grievances.
As Calderon’s legal proceedings continue, attention remains on how this case will impact public discourse around immigration enforcement. Mayor Bass’ role in amplifying the initial story may also face further scrutiny in the coming days. For now, the focus is on the judicial process and the potential consequences Calderon may face if found guilty of the charges against her.