The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has criticized ABC7 Eyewitness News on social media, accusing the outlet of ideological censorship due to its use of artificial intelligence in editing DHS statements regarding immigration enforcement actions that took place on Thursday. DHS claims the media outlet altered its coverage, “editing DHS statements to fit journalistic bias,” which included omitting criminal records of undocumented immigrants and misrepresenting facts.
DHS shared a pointed message directed at ABC7 on a social media platform, showcasing a side-by-side image that highlighted changes made to the federal agency’s statements by the news outlet.
The image shared by DHS pointed out that language from the agency’s original statement was modified in several ways. For instance, ABC7 transformed “criminal illegal alien” to “individual” or “citizen” and removed phrases that noted how those arrested were released after entering the United States illegally under Biden’s administration.
Confusion arose from Thursday’s ABC7 report, which detailed the arrests of multiple men by federal agents at the Rancho Cucamonga courthouse, located east of Los Angeles. The report included video footage of the arrests and featured comments from Hector Pereira of the Inland Immigrant Justice Coalition, who cautioned about potential violence stemming from these actions, stating: “That would put everyone in the courtroom at risk.”
Footage displayed men being apprehended outside the courthouse, with one requiring a foot chase before capture. DHS countered the initial report in a Friday post, accusing ABC7 of dishonesty and claiming they stated that DHS did not respond to the investigation.
The original article on ABC7’s website was edited following DHS’s objections.
DHS reported that Godofredo Chiquete Lopez, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, was arrested during an immigration raid coordinated by ICE and CBP agents in Rancho Cucamonga. Lopez had a prior arrest for assault with a deadly weapon and hit-and-run. According to DHS, ICE asked local authorities in San Bernardino to extradite him, but this was unsuccessful, and he was released into the community. DHS noted he had overstayed his tourist visa by over 16 years.
Another person arrested was Alexander Pacheco Sabogal, who is undocumented and from Colombia. DHS stated that Pacheco-Sabogal had previous arrests on assault charges and was part of a group of immigrant detainees treated poorly by California authorities. He had illegally entered the United States and was released in 2022 under Biden after being apprehended near San Luis, Arizona. In 2023, he was ordered to be removed from the country after failing to attend a scheduled hearing.
Cesar Andres Méndez Garzón, also from Colombia and undocumented, was the third arrest. According to DHS, he illegally entered the U.S. in 2023 and was subsequently released. He faced removal orders after missing a hearing in 2025.
A spokesperson for DHS commented on the situation in response to ABC7, indicating that the presence of undocumented individuals in communities poses risks and emphasizing the need for collaboration with local law enforcement. They noted, “Elected officials who refuse to cooperate with law enforcement are wasting resources and putting their constituents at risk. Seven of the top ten safest cities in America cooperate with ICE.” The spokesperson mentioned that sanctuary policies have consequences that can lead to serious crime, including murder and drug overdoses affecting American citizens.
randy clark A veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol with over 32 years of experience, he previously was the Division Chief of Law Enforcement Operations overseeing nine Border Patrol stations in the Del Rio, Texas area. Follow him at X (formerly Twitter) @RandyClarkBBTX.
