During a House hearing focused on ICE Commissioner Todd Lyons, comedian Adam Carolla labeled Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., a “shithole.” This occurred after Carolla disputed Swalwell’s claim regarding bodega workers’ fears of ICE.
On Tuesday, ICE Director Lyons testified before the House Homeland Security Committee, addressing questions about immigration agents’ operations nationwide. In his line of questioning, Swalwell recounted a story where a bodega worker expressed her fear of leaving her workplace late at night due to concerns about potential encounters with ICE agents.
Swalwell claimed this woman was so frightened that she wouldn’t disclose her name and wondered how she could differentiate between a criminal and an “unidentified van” with men in black attire lacking identification.
Lyons responded to this by clarifying that ICE agents are not known to operate in all black attire without identification.
“Sir, ICE agents wear identifying placards,” he stated, noting they also carry badges. “You’re not going to see officers just taking someone without basis. Our operations are intelligence-driven and targeted.”
Carolla seized this exchange to criticize Swalwell, remarking on his character.
“Swalwell is a really bad guy,” Carolla expressed. “When women act like that, I think, ‘Okay, some theatrics.’ But when men do it, I’m just taken aback. It’s frustrating! I’d choose a violent drunk over someone like that. Cats are just the worst. And Swalwell is definitely one of them.”
Carolla expressed skepticism about Swalwell’s account of frightened bodega workers, suggesting the story was fabricated.
Additionally, Swalwell referred to a previously debunked incident claiming ICE “arrested” a 5-year-old child. He presented a photo of Liam Conejo Ramos, mentioning that the child had been used as a symbol against ICE, and questioned Lyons about whether he would resign due to this incident.
Lyons responded firmly, refusing to resign and explaining what actually transpired with Liam. He stated, “The child you’re referring to was left behind when his father abandoned him. ICE officers ensured his safety.”
The true sequence of events regarding Liam Conejo Ramos was clarified by the Department of Homeland Security last month.
“On January 20, ICE conducted a targeted operation aimed at arresting Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, an Ecuadorian illegal immigrant released by the Biden administration,” a DHS official explained.
According to the DHS, when officers approached the driver, he fled, leaving the child. For his safety, one officer stayed with the child while another arrested the father. Parents can decide if they want their child removed, and if not, ICE will place the child with someone safe as designated by the parents, they added.
Furthermore, DHS stated that these procedures align with past administrations: “With the CBP Home app, parents can manage their exit and receive assistance for a safe return to their home country.”
