ICE Denies TikTok Claim by Indian-Origin Attorney, Calls Allegation ‘Lying for Likes’

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has pushed back against a viral claim made by Indian-origin immigration attorney Trisha Chatterjee, calling her allegations false and accusing her of “lying for likes” on social media.

Chatterjee, a Cincinnati-based immigration lawyer, gained attention after posting a TikTok video in which she claimed that, after days of unsuccessful attempts to reach ICE, she finally got through—only to be connected to a Taco Bell instead of a government office.

“I called and they answered and said, ‘Hello, Taco Bell?’ And I said, ‘Taco Bell?’ The guy said, ‘Yeah, Taco Bell. Ma’am, you called me,’” she recounted in the video, which quickly went viral.

In response, ICE issued a strong denial via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating:

“ICE did not give immigration attorney Trisha Chatterjee, the woman in the TikTok video, a phone number to a Taco Bell. After she posted the video, ICE even attempted to reach out to her to get her information on her clients. She was provided several avenues to directly contact ICE and help resolve any issues, but she has made no attempt to contact the agency.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also weighed in, with spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin dismissing Chatterjee’s claim as fabricated. “This story is a lie and a smear,” McLaughlin wrote on X.

ICE further claimed it had proactively reached out to Chatterjee following the video to facilitate proper communication and support regarding her clients’ cases, but said she has yet to respond through any official channel.

The incident has sparked a debate on social media about government transparency and accountability, while also raising concerns about misinformation and the influence of viral content.