A Los Angeles woman’s false claim of being abducted by ICE agents was amplified by Mayor Karen Bass—before federal prosecutors revealed it was a hoax to raise money and stir outrage.
Key Facts:
- Mayor Karen Bass promoted a kidnapping claim by Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon, a 41-year-old illegal immigrant, on July 1.
- Calderon claimed she was taken by ICE agents and forced to sign deportation papers, sparking public outcry.
- Federal prosecutors say video and phone records prove the incident was entirely fabricated.
- Calderon allegedly staged abuse photos and planned a press conference to solicit donations.
- She now faces federal charges and is in immigration custody awaiting trial.
The Rest of The Story:
Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass shared an alarming story on July 1 about a local mother allegedly abducted by masked ICE agents.
According to Bass, the woman—Yuriana Julia Pelaez Calderon—was taken from a Jack in the Box parking lot, detained in a warehouse, and pressured to “self-deport” without a hearing.
She’s a mother from L.A. — taken out of her car on her way to work, and then held in a warehouse as officers hoped she would “self-deport.”
No hearing. Just fear.
This doesn't make anyone safer. https://t.co/gwkq017y4l
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) July 1, 2025
Bass’s statements were based on claims made by Calderon’s family at a press conference the day before.
The story gained traction and emotional support, especially among immigration activists and local media.
But just days later, the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles revealed the entire narrative was fake.
Surveillance video showed Calderon calmly driving away from the scene in her own vehicle.
Phone records and staged photos further backed up the accusation that she planned the hoax.
Prosecutors said Calderon had even plotted to hold a second press event to drive donations through GoFundMe.
“Telephone records demonstrate Calderon fabricated the entire story,” the federal complaint stated.
Prosecutors charged her with conspiracy and lying to federal agents.
She was arrested July 5 at a shopping center and is now being held in immigration custody.
Calderon, a longtime activist with the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, had connections with other activist groups, including Immigrant Defenders Law Center—a group that’s received over $17 million in taxpayer funding.
That group also helped promote her false story.
Commentary:
This story is a glaring example of why Los Angeles under Karen Bass’s leadership continues to spiral.
At best, she was duped by an opportunistic activist. At worst, she amplified false claims without vetting them because they fit her political agenda.
Either way, it’s a dereliction of duty.
Bass didn’t wait for facts. She rushed to social media, stoking fear and anger.
“No hearing. Just fear,” she posted—accusing federal law enforcement of behavior that never occurred.
She’s more focused on protecting illegal immigrants than protecting the truth or the residents of her own city.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a misunderstanding. It was an attempt to discredit law enforcement and exploit public emotions for political and financial gain.
And the mayor was a willing megaphone for it.
Bass’s record continues to pile up: failures in handling wildfires, opposition to law enforcement, and now helping elevate a criminal hoax.
She even tried to interfere with a DHS raid targeting MS-13 gang members—calling it “un-American” even though the operation was targeting violent criminals.
The voters chose Karen Bass, a career politician with no experience managing a city this complex. And now they’re seeing the consequences.
Los Angeles isn’t safer. It isn’t cleaner. It isn’t freer. It’s a city run by someone who treats activism as governance.
Bass has proven she’ll defend lawbreakers and smear those doing their jobs—all for political gain.
In the meantime, taxpayers are funding groups like Immigrant Defenders, which helped promote this lie.
People get the government they vote for, and Los Angeles is paying the price.
The Bottom Line:
Mayor Karen Bass promoted a hoax that falsely accused federal agents of kidnapping.
The woman behind the claim now faces federal charges.
Rather than stand with law enforcement and legal residents, Bass continues to prioritize political narratives over truth.
Los Angeles residents are left with a mayor who seems committed to shielding criminals and embarrassing the city.
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