The Department of Homeland Security wasted little time fact-checking Ilhan Omar’s incendiary allegation that ICE had detained a “5-year-old” while giving no context.

“Absolutely vile,” The Minnesota Democrat said on X.

The Homeland Security X account pushed back hours later, setting the record straight, saying that the child had been “abandoned.”

“As agents approached the driver Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, fled on foot—abandoning his child,” DHS explained. “For the child’s safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias.

“Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates. This is consistent with past administration’s immigration enforcement. Parents can take control of their departure and receive a free flight and $2,600 with the CBP Home app. By using the CBP Home app illegal aliens reserve the chance to come back the right legal way.”

ICE did NOT target a child. The child was ABANDONED.

On January 20, ICE conducted a targeted operation to arrest Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias an illegal alien from Ecuador who was RELEASED into the U.S. by the Biden administration.

As agents approached the driver Adrian… https://t.co/UmxxV34omm

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 22, 2026

The fact-check was met with more fury against the Somalia-born Dem who many want to see deported over extremely credible allegations of widespread fraud within Minnesota and beyond.

Speaking of deportations, can you please deport Ilhan Omar?

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) January 22, 2026

Some attempted to push back against DHS, citing Washington Post coverage that claimed there were others at the scene who could have taken the child into their temporary custody.

But it would seem highly irresponsible to give a child to a seemingly random person.

“A potential total stranger begged to be GIVEN someone else’s child. Liam’s brother returned home to find out that the authorities followed the law and didn’t allow his brother to be TAKEN AWAY by a possible total stranger.”

— Save California (@BethBridges) January 22, 2026

As X user L Muse noted, ICE agents who’ve been ordered to do the clean-up work from the disastrous policies of the previous administration are not to blame.

And none of this would be happening if Biden hadn’t opened the floodgates. If you want to place blame, at least be honest about it.

— L Muse (@LibertyMeaux) January 22, 2026

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