Listen to the article
A criminal investigation has been launched after a top Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official admitted that two of its agents apparently lied under oath about an incident where one of them shot a Venezuelan man.
The January 14 incident, which resulted in Julio Sosa-Celis being shot in the leg, was initially framed as “attempted murder” by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. This characterization follows a pattern seen in other recent shootings by ICE agents of civilians, including cases involving Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.
According to initial claims from Homeland Security, Sosa-Celis had been driving a vehicle with his cousin Alfredo Aljorna and another man before all three allegedly assaulted an immigration officer, who then shot Sosa-Celis. However, this account has now been contradicted by video evidence.
Aljorna’s attorney presented a dramatically different version of events, stating that Sosa-Celis was injured after immigration agents tailed Aljorna to his home. According to this account, after Sosa-Celis fled inside his cousin’s property, agents allegedly shot through the door, hitting him in the leg.
Court documents from the January incident show that the two immigration officers claimed they were attacked by Sosa-Celis and his associates, who they said were wielding a broom handle and a snow shovel.
In a stunning reversal on Friday, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons acknowledged that the agents who filed the report had made “untruthful statements” about what transpired before they opened fire on Sosa-Celis.
“A joint review by ICE and the Department of Justice of video evidence has revealed that sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements,” Lyons said in his statement.
This admission came just one day after felony assault charges against both Aljorno and Sosa-Celis were dropped by the Department of Justice. The DOJ filed a motion acknowledging that the court had been provided with incorrect information due to the officers’ false statements.
Both immigration officers have been placed on administrative leave while investigations continue. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is actively investigating these false statements,” Lyons added, noting that making false statements is considered “a serious federal offense.”
Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS official, told media outlets that the sudden admission came after video evidence clearly contradicted the officers’ account of the shooting.
“The men and women of ICE are entrusted with upholding the rule of law and are held to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct,” McLaughlin stated. “Violations of this sacred sworn oath will not be tolerated. ICE remains fully committed to transparency, accountability, and the fair enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws.”
The case raises significant concerns about accountability within federal immigration enforcement operations, particularly as ICE has expanded its activities under shifting immigration policies. The agency has faced growing scrutiny over its use of force protocols and transparency in incidents involving civilians.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, with increased attention on the treatment of migrants, particularly those from Venezuela and other Latin American countries who have crossed the southern border in recent years.
Sosa-Celis and Aljorno are reportedly “happy” to be free following the dismissal of charges. Their attorney shared: “The charges against them were based on lies by an ICE agent who recklessly shot into their home through a closed door. They are so happy justice is being served by the government’s request to dismiss all charges with prejudice. The identity of the ICE agent should be made public and he should be charged for his crime.”
The case has already drawn attention from civil rights organizations and immigration advocates who have long criticized what they describe as a lack of accountability within federal immigration enforcement agencies. As the criminal investigation proceeds, it may have broader implications for ICE operations and oversight procedures nationwide.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
17 Comments
The acknowledgment of false testimony by ICE officers is troubling. It’s critical that all law enforcement agencies are held to the highest standards of integrity and truthfulness in their work.
Agreed. Public trust in law enforcement is essential, and cases like this undermine that trust. Rigorous accountability measures are needed to prevent such incidents.
It’s disturbing to see a pattern of ICE agents allegedly misrepresenting incidents involving the use of force against civilians. A thorough, impartial investigation is needed to determine the facts.
Agreed. Providing false testimony undermines the credibility of law enforcement and the justice system. The public deserves to know the truth.
This is a troubling development. The integrity of law enforcement testimony is crucial for justice. I hope the investigation uncovers the full truth of what happened and holds any responsible parties accountable.
Yes, it’s concerning to see false testimony from government officials. Transparency and accountability are essential for maintaining public trust.
False testimony from government officials is a serious issue that undermines the credibility of law enforcement and the justice system. A thorough, impartial investigation is essential to uncover the truth.
Absolutely. The public deserves to have confidence that law enforcement is operating with integrity and honesty. Accountability is key in cases like this.
The admission of false testimony by ICE officers is a serious breach of public trust. It’s essential that all law enforcement agencies uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity in their work.
Absolutely. Providing truthful accounts is fundamental to the justice system. This case highlights the need for robust oversight and accountability measures.
This is a troubling development that raises questions about the reliability of official narratives in similar incidents. I hope the investigation leads to greater transparency and accountability.
This case highlights the importance of objective evidence, like video footage, to counter potentially misleading official accounts. I hope the investigation leads to meaningful reforms and accountability.
Absolutely. Relying on testimony alone can be problematic, which is why corroborating evidence is so crucial in these types of incidents.
This is a concerning development that raises questions about the reliability of official narratives in similar incidents. I hope the investigation leads to greater transparency and accountability.
The admission of false testimony by ICE officers is very concerning. It’s critical that all law enforcement agencies uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity in their work.
Agreed. The public must be able to trust that officials are providing truthful accounts, especially in cases involving the use of force. This is a serious breach of that trust.
This case highlights the need for independent oversight and robust investigative processes to ensure the accuracy of official accounts, especially when they involve the use of force against civilians.