Attorney Carlos Moctezuma Garcia says the arrest sends a message about speaking out
Immigration attorney for Luis Ochoa, speaking to Border Report
“That’s too big of a coincidence to believe that she is detained just a week after her United States citizen child was unlawfully detained and arrested and so it’s definitely a message. And in this country it’s something very disconcerting. Because in this country we cherish the First Amendment. We believe that we have a right to speak out against injustice. But this is a clear message, in my opinion this is a clear message that ICE is sending about what the repercussions are for people who decide to speak out.”
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Local television report on the arrest and removal of Teresa Ochoa Briseño. It reproduces ICE's full written statement about her 2025 removal and her Sept. 21 removal, and it quotes attorney Carlos Moctezuma Garcia on the timing. KRGV reports that ICE has not said whether the deportation was connected to the video of her son's arrest.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Reporting
About this source
Border Report's interview with Luis Ochoa outside the U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing facility in Edinburg where his mother was held, and with his attorney, Carlos Moctezuma Garcia. It includes Ochoa's account of the Sept. 11 arrests, including his statement that agents said they would pick up relatives without papers, DHS's statement on his mother's arrest and DHS's account of her immigration history.
Before the quotation
Luis Ochoa and Garcia were not allowed into the CBP processing facility in Edinburg where Ochoa Briseño was held, Border Report reported. The teenagers were arrested on Sept. 11 and Ochoa Briseño on Sept. 21.
After the quotation
KRGV reported that ICE has not said whether the deportation was connected to the video of her son's arrest.
How this statement is classified
Responding to: ICE arrested Teresa Ochoa Briseño in retaliation for her family speaking out against ICE raids.
The label describes this statement’s response within the context above.
Why this label?
Garcia says the timing shows the arrest was a message to people who speak out, which criticizes the action as retaliation.
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- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Was ICE's deportation of Teresa Ochoa Briseño retaliation for her family speaking out?
Explore the case context, sources and public responses.
More from this case
Read the full caseU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
“Briseno was removed to Mexico on July 13, 2025 after accepting a voluntary return following her local arrest on July 11, 2025 for assault causing bodily harm to a family member. Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office released Briseno to ICE and, on the same day, she was removed to Mexico. On an unknown date and location, Briseno illegally reentered the U.S. On Sept. 21, Briseno was served with an order of expedited removal and deported to Mexico. This administration will uphold immigration law and remove criminal illegal aliens to their home country.”Read statement
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
“On Sept. 21, ICE arrested Teresa de Jesus Ochoa Briseno, an illegal alien from Mexico, during a targeted operation in Alamo, Texas. During the arrest Ochoa Briseno repeatedly refused lawful commands from ICE officers and was warned repeatedly about her failure to comply. Ochoa Briseno was arrested without further incident. She was issued a final order of removal and was returned to her home country on Sept. 21.”Read statement