DHS lays out the facts in Oklahoma ICE raid that has Dems up in arms

The Department of Homeland Security has addressed recent media reports that claimed ICE agents raided the wrong home and targeted U.S. citizens, leading to outrage from Democrats. The Independent published an article stating that ICE had raided the wrong home in Oklahoma, seizing the family’s life savings and leaving them traumatized. Additionally, Rep. Becca Balint of Vermont accused ICE of mistakenly terrorizing a family of naturalized U.S. citizens in a raid in Oklahoma City.

However, the Department of Homeland Security has set the record straight, clarifying that the raid was a lawful, court-authorized action that targeted a property known to be a hub for human smuggling, rather than specific individuals. The warrant was based on an 84-page affidavit detailing probable cause that the address was being used for illegal activities. The DHS spokesperson emphasized that the warrant targeted the property itself, not specific individuals, and its execution was not contingent on the presence of any person.

The raid, which took place on April 24 in northwest Oklahoma City, involved ICE agents and Oklahoma state police. The primary targets of the warrant were identified as Cidia Lima-Lopez and V. Lima-Lopez, illegal aliens from Guatemala, who were believed to be involved in a transnational criminal organization. The warrant authorized the seizure of evidence, including electronic devices and documents, regardless of who was present at the property.

While the family living in the home is no longer in federal custody, the DHS spokesperson stated that the investigation is ongoing and that the involvement of the current occupants in the smuggling ring has not been ruled out. The raid was described as a critical strike against a dangerous human smuggling network, in line with the DHS’s mission to protect American communities from the consequences of the Biden administration’s open-border policies.

Fox News Digital reached out for comment from Rep. Becca Balint and The Independent but did not receive an immediate response. It is crucial to understand the full context of such incidents before jumping to conclusions, as the DHS emphasizes the importance of precision and adherence to the law in carrying out their operations.