A Department of Homeland Security official responded Wednesday to remarks from Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) after he claimed that the Trump administration was preparing to deport what he described as an innocent mother and business owner from his district.

DHS later confirmed that the woman, identified as 44-year-old Melissa Tran, is an illegal alien from Vietnam with criminal convictions and a final order of removal.

Sen. Van Hollen posted on X about Tran’s case, writing, “Melissa Tran came here on a Green Card at age 11. She’s since raised 4 kids, started a business, and is a beloved member of the Hagerstown community. Trump is deporting her, despite a judge saying she poses no threat. Is she the ‘worst of the worst’? Do you feel safer yet?”

His post referenced a news article about her situation.

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Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at DHS, responded to the senator on X with additional details.

“Omitting some pesky facts, Senator. Mong Tuyen Thi Tran, is a criminal illegal alien from Vietnam, with criminal convictions including grand larceny, multiple counts of forgery and fraud. An immigration judge issued her a final order of removal in 2004–over 20 years ago,” she wrote.

The senator’s post received a community note on the platform.

Sen. Van Hollen drew national attention earlier this year when he traveled to El Salvador to advocate for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an MS-13 gang member cited in domestic violence allegations.

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Social media users questioned the senator’s characterization of Tran’s case.

One user wrote, “Great community note, Chris. Have you ever met a criminal you wouldn’t go to bat for?”

Another said, “Her green card was revoked in 2003 following a felony theft conviction. Seems like 22 years is plenty of time to resolve the citizenship challenge.”

Another comment read, “Feeling safer already!! Woooo support your local ICE raid!!”

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According to McLaughlin, Tran was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in May.

The Banner reported that Tran, who operated a nail salon, had been detained at an ICE facility in Washington state until a judge ordered her release in October.

After Vietnam approved her passport for return, ICE arrested Tran again in Baltimore on Friday.

Her removal proceedings resumed following approval of travel documentation.

Tran is currently held at an ICE facility in Louisiana.

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