An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer was placed on administrative leave after video showed him pushing a woman to the ground at a New York immigration court, but he returned to duty within days. The rapid reinstatement, before a full review concluded, has sparked concerns about oversight at the Department of Homeland Security. Critics argue it highlights broader issues in handling misconduct amid pressures to increase deportations.
On September 25, 2025, in New York City, ICE officer Victor Mojica was captured on video roughly pushing the wife of a detained Ecuadorian man into a hallway and to the ground during an incident at an immigration court. The woman screamed as she fell, and the footage quickly spread online, drawing widespread criticism.
The Department of Homeland Security responded swiftly, placing Mojica on administrative leave that Friday—a move publicly announced, which is unusual for such cases. Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary for media affairs, stated at the time: "The officer's conduct in this video is unacceptable and beneath the men and women of ICE. Our ICE law enforcement are held to the highest professional standards and this officer is being relieved of current duties as we conduct a full investigation."
However, by the following Monday—less than 72 hours later—Mojica was back on full active duty, with no explanation provided by the agency. NPR later learned that this reinstatement occurred before the DHS Office of Inspector General completed its review. On November 25, nearly two months after the incident, the OIG decided the matter did not warrant a criminal probe.
The handling of the case has raised questions about DHS's oversight mechanisms, especially as the department faces pressure from Trump administration officials to accelerate deportations and has reduced some internal watchdog functions. Former ICE chief of staff Jason Houser, who served under President Biden, described it as "one small case of a larger systemic issue of how law enforcement is being hyper-politicized," adding that it contributes to negative perceptions of ICE officers.
Rep. Dan Goldman, a Democrat representing the New York district where the court is located, pressed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for details during a hearing. Noem's subsequent letter affirmed that the incident was referred for review and noted the OIG's decision, emphasizing that ICE officers work in a "highly challenging and increasingly dangerous environment." She added that allegations of excessive force are handled through internal processes, but declined to disclose more, citing personnel matters.
Goldman called the response "a wholly unsatisfactory," noting it failed to explain the quick reinstatement or any ongoing investigations. Former ICE field office director Darius Reeves suggested administrative matters like this are typically routed to the Office of Professional Responsibility, and quick reinstatement might align with operational needs under the administration's priorities. Still, he stressed that DHS should have offered a public explanation given the initial condemnation, warning that such incidents erode ICE's professionalism.
Concerns over DHS disciplinary practices extend beyond this case, with past reviews under the Biden administration revealing inconsistencies in handling senior employee misconduct. Experts point to rapid hiring and vetting shortcuts in expansions like the mid-2000s Border Patrol growth as potential contributors to rising issues.
