Public disputes over whether people were penalized, or discouraged from speaking, because of what they said, published or protested, including claims that a government action was retaliation for speech.
Published coverage on this page: 1 case · 3 statements. Statements are ordered newest first.
ICE arrested and deported Teresa Ochoa Briseño on Sept. 21, five days after she told KRGV justice must be served against the officers involved in her son's arrest. Her son and his attorney allege retaliation for the family speaking out; ICE cites a 2025 removal.
Published
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3 matching statements
Role at the time: Immigration attorney for Luis Ochoa, speaking to Border Report
Response to this claim
ICE arrested Teresa Ochoa Briseño in retaliation for her family speaking out against ICE raids.
Quotation excerpt
“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.…”
“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.”
Garcia says the timing shows the arrest was a message to people who speak out, which criticizes the action as retaliation.
Role at the time: Federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security
Response to this claim
ICE arrested Teresa Ochoa Briseño during a targeted operation and removed her under an order of removal after she returned to the United States without authorization following a July 2025 voluntary return.
Quotation excerpt
“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,…”
“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.”
ICE presents the removal as enforcement against a person it says had been returned to Mexico in 2025 and reentered, and says she was served an order of expedited removal on Sept. 21, which defends the action under review. Its statement does not address the allegation that the arrest was retaliation.
Role at the time: Federal executive department overseeing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Response to this claim
ICE arrested Teresa Ochoa Briseño during a targeted operation and removed her under an order of removal after she returned to the United States without authorization following a July 2025 voluntary return.
Quotation excerpt
“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…”
“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.”
DHS presents the arrest and removal as enforcement action under a final order of removal it says was issued to her, which defends the action under review. The statement does not address the allegation that the arrest was retaliation.
McAllen, Texas, attorney who practices immigration and criminal defense law and is a founding partner of Garcia & Garcia, Attorneys at Law.
1 case and 1 statement
Restaurant cook in Alamo, Texas, according to Border Report.
1 case
Rio Grande Valley, Texas, resident.
1 case
