White House Defends ICE Arrest of California Legislative Staffer

The White House has defended the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in arresting Ho-Yin Mo, a field representative for California Democratic Assemblywoman Catherine Stefani. Mo, who is also a former TV anchor for a Chinese-language station in San Francisco, faces deportation after being apprehended during an ICE operation at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

White House spokesperson Lauren Bis stated that employing an undocumented immigrant in a state legislative office is "outrageous" and "takes sanctuary city to a whole new level." The spokesperson added, "Radical Democrats continue to prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens - even employing illegal aliens to work in their political offices."

Mo had lawfully entered the U.S. on January 13, 2020, but overstayed his visa, failing to depart by May 15, 2020, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The agency emphasized that "work authorization or a pending application do NOT confer legal status in the United States."

Assemblywoman Stefani, an ICE critic, initially pursued quiet channels for Mo's release but shifted tactics after the news became public. She issued a public appeal, calling for Mo's immediate release and describing him as "a selfless public servant and a valued, legal employee of the California State Legislature serving our San Francisco and Bay Area communities."

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors also sent a letter demanding Mo's release, highlighting his importance as a point of contact for the city's Chinese American communities. Mo previously served as an outreach organizer for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community during London Breed's mayoral re-election campaign.

Stefani has been a vocal critic of ICE's immigration enforcement actions. In an October article in the San Francisco Chronicle, she criticized an ICE crackdown in the Bay Area, calling it an "abuse of power and direct threat to the community."

Mo is expected to remain in custody pending the outcome of removal proceedings. His lawyer is reportedly meeting with him at the Nevada Southern Detention Center in Pahrump, Nevada.