A shocking video from Salt Lake City International Airport is going viral after showing a migrant woman crying for help while ICE agents detained her in front of dozens of travelers. The emotional scene has fueled a nationwide debate about immigration enforcement and the treatment of undocumented migrants in the United States.
The woman was identified as 39-year-old Marta Brizeyda Renderos Leiva, a native of El Salvador. She was arrested on Wednesday in what officials described as a “targeted enforcement operation.”
According to witnesses, the dramatic arrest unfolded inside the airport terminal when plainclothes agents grabbed Leiva, placed her in handcuffs, and pulled her from the floor as she screamed for help.
“Help me, I have my papers! Please help me!” she shouted, her voice echoing through the busy airport as stunned passengers looked on.
ICE Confirms Details of the Arrest
ICE officials later confirmed that Leiva entered the U.S. illegally in 2007 and was issued a final deportation order in February 2020 after failing to appear in immigration court. The agency said the arrest was part of ongoing operations targeting individuals with existing removal orders.
Witness Describes the Scene as “Horrifying”
Author Shannon Hale, who captured the incident on video, told the Daily Mail that she initially thought she was witnessing a kidnapping.
“I ran toward the crowd and asked what was happening. When they told me the men were ICE, I started shaking,” Hale said. “She was a mother, a woman, begging for help, and no one could stop it.”
Hale added that a Salt Lake City police officer stood nearby, preventing bystanders from getting too close. “His body language made it clear he was there to keep everyone back,” she said.
Local Police and City Officials Respond
Salt Lake City Police confirmed that one of their officers was present but did not participate in the arrest. “The men identified themselves as federal agents and displayed their badges,” a spokesperson said.
Following the viral video, Mayor Erin Mendenhall released a statement expressing heartbreak over the event.
“I ache from the fear and pain these operations cause in our community,” Mendenhall said. “Incidents like this don’t make me feel safer as an American — they make me feel deeply troubled.”
National Debate Over Immigration Enforcement
The incident has reignited public anger and political debate over the Biden administration’s immigration policies. Critics argue that the federal government is inconsistent in its approach and that such public arrests create fear rather than safety.
So far, ICE has not shared additional details about Leiva’s current status or whether she will be deported immediately. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also not
The left has been claiming she was a U.S. citizen, but ICE has confirmed otherwise. Marta Brizeyda Renderos Leiva, a 39-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador with a 2020 deportation order, was arrested at Salt Lake City International Airport on October 29, 2025. pic.twitter.com/RCXt5V4G5K
— Clown World ™ 🤡 (@ClownWorld_) October 31, 2025
About The Author
This was a biased piece😡. We were hoping for better from our new, upcoming journalists
If you had all this information on the woman arrested, where was the fact that she was targeted (with a warrant), an illegal, and someone who had been running from the law for 5 years!?
Shame on you. You lost all credibility and I have listed you as someone not to follow , or believe😞
Why did it take them 5 1/2 years?
Becouse Biden administration!
IF THE IMMIGRANT WOMAN HAS HER PROPER DOCUMENTATION THERE SHOULD BE NO NEED FOR HER TO SCREAM RIDICULOUSLY LIKE THAT UNLESS SHE WAS LYING AND WAS AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT AND SHAME ON THESE POLICE DEPARTMENTS THAT RESPOND, BUT REFUSE TO HELP THEIR BROTHER I.C.E. AGENTS CARRY OUT THEIR JOB. POLICE THAT REFUSE TO HELP I.C.E. AGENTS IN THEIR DUTY ARE NOTHING BUT COWARDLY TRAITORS COLLECTING PAY FOR BETRAYING THEIR OATH OF DUTY. THESE COWARDLY COPS NOT HELPING IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT REMOVAL BETTER REMEMBER WHEN JUSTICE FINALLY CALLS UPON THEIR DEEDS THEY HAVE RECORDED THEMSELVES ON THEIR OWN BODY CAMS FOR THE COURTS TO SEE THAT THEY NEGLECTED TO DO THEIR SWORN DUTY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE BY NOT HELPING THEIR I.C.E. AGENT BROTHERS IN ARMS TO REMOVE THESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. MAY GOD ALWAYS BLESS OUR I.C.E. AGENTS AND KEEP THEM SAFE AND THANK YOU TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT REMOVING THESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. GOD BLESS.
Because the democrats were the mplementing it
Becouse Biden administration!
This is a TOTALLY BIAS PIECE.
If every criminal that screamed I am not guilty was released we would have zero criminals incarcerated.
The agents had a warrant.
This is what the rule of law looks like!
Welcome to the new era!!!