In a stunning turn of events, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass finds herself under fire for amplifying a story about a supposed ICE kidnapping that authorities now allege was a complete fabrication. The Democratic mayor, known for her vocal criticism of stringent immigration policies, shared a local news report claiming a mother from L.A. was abducted from her car and held in a warehouse by ICE agents pressuring her to 'self-deport.' Turns out, the story was anything but true.

Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, a 41-year-old undocumented immigrant living in Los Angeles, has been charged with conspiracy and making false statements to federal officers. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Calderon concocted an elaborate tale of being snatched by masked men in unmarked cars, taken to the border, and coerced into signing deportation papers. When she allegedly refused, she claimed to have been detained indefinitely in a warehouse. But the evidence tells a different story.

Investigations by DHS and the Los Angeles Police Department revealed glaring inconsistencies. Surveillance footage showed Calderon calmly leaving a Jack in the Box parking lot and entering a sedan, with no signs of distress or coercion—even with a marked LAPD vehicle nearby. Phone records further contradicted her claims, showing calls to loved ones were made from her own device, masked to appear as unknown numbers. When confronted, Calderon and her associates allegedly doubled down, misleading federal agents about her whereabouts.

DHS didn’t hold back, publicly calling out Mayor Bass on social media for spreading what they labeled a 'hoax' and urging her to retract her statements. The Republican National Committee also jumped in, accusing Bass of demonizing ICE agents with unfounded claims. Meanwhile, Calderon was tracked down in Bakersfield, California, still clinging to her story of abduction. She now faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted and remains in U.S. immigration custody.

This saga raises bigger questions about the volatile intersection of immigration policy and public rhetoric. While Bass framed the alleged incident as a chilling example of overreach, the unraveling of Calderon’s story highlights the dangers of jumping the gun on unverified claims. In a city as diverse and complex as L.A., emotions run high on this issue—but so must the commitment to facts.

Adding another layer of intrigue, Calderon’s daughter reportedly attempted to capitalize on the situation by launching a GoFundMe page to raise money for her mother’s plight. The platform has since removed the page, confirming that no funds were accessed by the family.

As this bizarre case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder: in the heated arena of immigration debates, separating fact from fiction is more crucial than ever. Mayor Bass has yet to respond to the latest developments, but the spotlight on her initial reaction isn’t likely to dim anytime soon.

Los Angeles News

LA Mayor Karen Bass Under Fire for Promoting ICE Kidnapping Hoax Story