A Texas lawmaker was doubly fact-checked by the Department of Homeland Security after the Democrat advanced what was dubbed the latest among “obvious hoaxes peddled by the media.”
Eager to demonize President Donald Trump’s America First agenda, breathless corporate media coverage has repeatedly presented the arrests and detainments of citizens interfering with federal operations as examples of bystanders erroneously caught up in sweeping stings and raids.
As a reporter with Univision was added to that roster, Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro (D) was twice left the victim of facts presented by DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), bluntly asserting of his claims, “THIS IS FALSE.”
Saturday, it was reported that Colombian national Nashville Noticias’ reporter Estefany Rodriguez had been taken into custody during a targeted enforcement operation after allegedly overstaying her tourist visa. Her application for asylum under President Joe Biden’s administration became the focus for Castro, who reacted, “She is an asylum seeker, has valid work permits, and is married to a U.S. citizen. Her detention exposes the Trump Admin’s machine of cruelty that is attacking the free press and violating our rights. This lawlessness and cruelty must end.”
“THIS IS FALSE,” said DHS in an X post that featured an image of an arrest warrant for the reporter. “Here’s the warrant. It’s embarrassing when sanctuary politicians fall for these obvious hoaxes peddled by the media. We look forward to you correcting the record. Next time ask us and we will get you the facts.”
THIS IS FALSE.
Here’s the warrant.
It’s embarrassing when sanctuary politicians fall for these obvious hoaxes peddled by the media. We look forward to you correcting the record.
Next time ask us and we will get you the facts. https://t.co/h3ECpz5NSF pic.twitter.com/ZeHxOZoik5
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 7, 2026
While the document referenced statements made by Rodriguez and her removability from the United States, Castro responded with an image of his own, dated two days prior to the one published by DHS, and contended, “I’ve looked at the records that you’ve filed. The warrant below is what you served Estefany Rodriguez. It’s not a judicial warrant and it’s not even filled out properly, making this an egregious violation of her fourth amendment right.”
“You illegally detained a journalist and lied about it,” he went on before alleging further in reference to other reports, “You killed 3 Americans and lied about it. Detained American citizens and lied about it. Gave away hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars to Noem’s friends and lied about. Sorry, no more ‘Trust me, Bro.'”
To that document, ICE responded Saturday evening, “You were a lawyer, it’s shocking you don’t know how a warrant works. That bottom section of an arrest warrant isn’t filled out until AFTER an arrest is made. The top section is the approval. The executed warrant is produced with both sections filled out after the arrest.”
You were a lawyer, it’s shocking you don’t know how a warrant works.
That bottom section of an arrest warrant isn’t filled out until AFTER an arrest is made. The top section is the approval.
The executed warrant is produced with both sections filled out after the arrest. https://t.co/cSW54YYhoi
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) March 8, 2026
The takedown opened the door for others to slam Castro and his credentials as one user argued, “In his defense, he wasn’t a good lawyer,” and another added, “I wouldn’t assume @JoaquinCastro knows anything about the law. He got his law degree from the very woke, DEI Harvard.”
In his defense, he wasn’t a good lawyer.
— Jay Town (@JayTownAlabama) March 8, 2026
I wouldn’t assume @JoaquinCastrotx knows anything about the law. He got his law degree from the very woke, DEI Harvard.
— Pam Bible (@bible1_pam) March 8, 2026
Even a one month attorney knows the purpose of a certificate of service.
— TheDeathmobile (@TheDeathmobile) March 8, 2026
It really makes one wonder if they just hand out lawyer degrees these days doesn’t it 🤔
— Tim F (@TimTim51824) March 9, 2026
SCOTUS case Abel vs United States in 1960 reaffirmed and upheld the propriety of administrative warrants for making arrests.
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) March 8, 2026
There’s always someone who graduates at the bottom of the class. It looks like he’s it. 🤣
— Sheryl (@Sheryl_EH) March 8, 2026
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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