DHS says its officers arrested two people who attempted to obstruct a vehicle stop
Federal executive department overseeing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
“On September 11, 2026, ICE officers arrested two anti-ICE agitators after they attempted to obstruct officers conducting a vehicle stop in Alamo, Texas. The two agitators proceeded to follow the officers once they returned to their vehicle, and one of the individuals approached the government vehicle and repeatedly banged on the officer’s window. Officers verbally commanded the agitator to stop his actions, but he refused. When officers exited the vehicle and attempted to detain him, the agitator became verbally and physically combative and resisted officers. Officers relied on their training to control the situation, and the agitators were placed under arrest. Deportation officers sustained minor injuries and were treated at a local clinic.”
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Local television report published five days after the arrests. It describes the video, gives the accounts of Luis Ochoa and his mother, Teresa Ochoa, and reproduces DHS's full written statement about the arrests. KRGV reports that the teenagers filed a police report with the Alamo Police Department, which said it is forwarding the case to the DHS Office of Inspector General.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
Report on Rep. Henry Cuellar's Sept. 22 visit to the Rio Grande Valley. It quotes Cuellar on his requests for body camera video from DHS and for an investigation, and it reproduces two DHS statements, one on the Sept. 11 arrests and one on the arrest and removal of Teresa Ochoa Briseño.
Before the quotation
Luis Ochoa told KRGV that he and his friend stopped to record an ICE raid, that an agent struck his friend, and that he was then pepper-sprayed and arrested. KRGV described video showing an agent hitting a teenager in the face four times.
After the quotation
The statement went on to say that ICE officers are trained to use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve dangerous situations and receive ongoing training in de-escalation and use of force. KRGV reported that the teenagers filed a police report that the Alamo Police Department is forwarding to the DHS Office of Inspector General.
How this statement is classified
Responding to: ICE officers arrested two people after they attempted to obstruct a vehicle stop, relied on their training to control a combative person who resisted detention, and used the minimum force necessary.
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
DHS says the two were arrested after they attempted to obstruct a vehicle stop and one resisted detention, and that officers relied on their training to control the situation, which defends the officers' handling of the arrests. The quoted passage does not mention pepper spray or a wrist injury.
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- People and groups discussed
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Was ICE's use of force in arresting Luis Ochoa in Alamo, Texas, justified?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
More from this case
Read the full case“Any use of force by authorities should be thoroughly and immediately investigated. As Ranking Member of Homeland Security Appropriations, I brought up my concerns directly to ICE leadership and look forward to answers on this incident in a timely manner.”Read statement
“Justice must be served — and it must be served against the officers who beat them.”Read statement
“[They] arrested me for no reason. They got on top of me saying, 'Don't resist.' I was never resisting. They broke my wrist.”Read statement