An Indian-origin immigration lawyer based in Cincinnati, Ohio, alleged that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) gave her a phone number that turned out to belong to a Taco Bell restaurant. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE have pushed back against the claims.
In a post on X, DHS stated: “This is nothing but lying for likes. Once again, activists and the media are attempting to smear our brave ICE law enforcement who are already facing an 830% increase in assaults against them.” It added that ICE “did not give immigration attorney Trisha Chatterjee, the woman in the TikTok video, a phone number to a Taco Bell.”
The statement also said that ICE had attempted to contact Chatterjee after the video surfaced in order to gather details about her clients. According to DHS, she was offered “several avenues to directly contact ICE and help resolve any issues,” but had not responded.
This is nothing but lying for likes. Once again, activists and the media are attempting to smear our brave ICE law enforcement who are already facing an 830% increase in assaults against them.
ICE did not give immigration attorney Trisha Chatterjee, the woman in the TikTok… pic.twitter.com/fEAJESDAzK
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 26, 2025
Trisha Chatterjee, who works closely with immigrant detainees, said in the TikTok video that she had been trying for days to get through to ICE regarding her clients’ paperwork. When someone from the agency finally responded, they assured her they’d provide a helpful contact. But instead, she said, they gave her the number of a Taco Bell outlet.
“I was genuinely excited when someone finally picked up and said they’d help,” Chatterjee said in the video. “But then I called the number, and it was Taco Bell.”
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at DHS called the claim “a lie and smear.” She posted on X: “After she posted the video, ICE even attempted to reach out to her to get her information on her clients… She has made no attempt to contact the agency.”
Had the Cincinnati @Enquirer bothered to reach out to us, they would know that this is a lie and smear.
ICE did not give immigration attorney Trisha Chatterjee a phone number to a Taco Bell.
After she posted the video, @ICEgov even attempted to reach out to her to get her… https://t.co/2Cd39SvsPc
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) July 26, 2025
Internet divided on credibility
The incident has triggered a wave of responses online. Many have defended Chatterjee. “An attorney wouldn’t be risking her career by coming forward with this bizarre situation. I believe her. America is quickly turning into a police state under Trump,” one social media user wrote. Others, however, questioned her account and motives.
“Then you should legally file a case against her. Not by posting on social media. You are all grown up, aren’t you?” commented another social media user. “As an attorney, if this is such a difficult issue she has been dealing with, she would be recording these calls. There is evidence, and there is propaganda,” posted yet another.
Some went further, suggesting her law license be reviewed, while others even raised questions about her immigration status. There has been no legal action announced by either side as of now.
