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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied claims that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents stole groceries during the arrest of a man outside a Walmart in Yakima, Washington, on Christmas Eve.
After footage of the arrest appeared on social media, unverified reports that federal agents had stolen the man's groceries circulated, fueling outrage and criticism online.
Why It Matters
The conduct of ICE agents has drawn renewed scrutiny as the Trump administration increases immigration arrests and deportations, with critics alleging the use of aggressive enforcement tactics.
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What To Know
ICE agents conducted a targeted enforcement operation on December 24 to arrest Milciades Osorio-Molina. DHS identified him as a Venezuelan national who entered the United States unlawfully in 2023 and said he later violated the terms of his release.
In video footage of the incident, agents are seen removing items from the man's shopping cart as the arrest unfolds, prompting a bystander to confront them and recount her own experience with immigration authorities. She said her husband had previously been detained and deported by federal agents.
"ICE did NOT steal anyone's groceries," Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for DHS, told Newsweek. "These are more smears against our law enforcement. Because of garbage like this, our law enforcement officers are facing a more than 1,150 percent increase in assaults against them."
McLaughlin said agents did not take the groceries for themselves and instead helped load them into a vehicle during the arrest.
"During the arrest, known agitators filmed the encounter and then surrounded an ICE vehicle while shouting obscenities. ICE officers assisted in loading the groceries into a driver's vehicle."
Video of the incident, recorded by Yeimi Jamie Ortiz, shows four agents wearing camouflage vests arresting the man in the parking lot. Ortiz is heard offering to help the man contact family members and arguing with an agent about whether detainees are allowed to notify relatives.
Ortiz later told NBC News that her husband had previously been detained and deported by ICE while their immigration paperwork was pending. She described the experience as traumatic and said the family lost money spent on legal fees. Ortiz also said that, despite initial reports suggesting otherwise, the agents did not steal the groceries but placed them in the back of the man's truck.
What People Are Saying
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, told Newsweek: "Illegal aliens can take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. During the Christmas Season, the U.S. taxpayer is so generously TRIPLING the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally, offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year."
Political scientist Norman Ornstein wrote on X: "Fire their asses and arrest them for theft. If there were even a scintilla of decency at DHS, that is what would happen, but there isn't. Of course, when you have a leader who took $50,000 in a bribe in a cava bag, this is not surprising."
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