Controversy has erupted over reports concerning Luis Leon, an 82-year-old Chilean national and long-time Allentown, Pennsylvania resident, who was allegedly deported to Guatemala by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Guatemalan government have vehemently denied these claims, leading The Guardian to update its initial reporting on July 21, 2025, to include official statements and amend its headline for attribution.
The initial reports, primarily from The Morning Call, detailed accounts from Leon's family stating that he was taken into custody by ICE in Philadelphia in June 2025 while attempting to replace a lost green card. His family subsequently reported losing contact with him and later finding him hospitalized in Guatemala, a country with which he reportedly had no prior connection. The family claimed Leon was first transferred to a detention center in Minnesota before being flown to Guatemala.
However, DHS has strongly refuted these allegations. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, "ICE never arrested or deported Luis Leon to Guatemala. Nor does ICE 'disappear' people—this is a categorical lie being peddled to demonize ICE agents." DHS further asserted there was no record of Leon appearing at any green card appointment in Philadelphia on the date claimed by his family, calling the initial media coverage "journalistic malpractice."
In parallel, the Guatemalan Migration Institute, which coordinates with ICE on deportations, also denied any record of Leon entering Guatemala under such circumstances. An Associated Press report cited the institute stating that no individual matching Leon's name, age, or citizenship had been deported from the U.S. to Guatemala. This aligns with the DHS position that Leon, a Chilean national, was not deported to Guatemala.
The unfolding situation highlights the complexities and challenges of reporting on sensitive immigration cases, particularly when information originates from family accounts and is later contradicted by official government statements. The Guardian's decision to update its story reflects the evolving nature of the facts as more information becomes available from official sources.