An illegal alien social media influencer who made a name for herself broadcasting the locations of ICE raids across California has been deported. Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, a 24-year-old Colombian national, was removed from the U.S. last week after multiple violations — including a prior DUI conviction and her unlawful presence in the country.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Mafla-Martinez, who went by @tatianamartinez_02 on TikTok, amassed over 48,000 followers by posting videos alerting other illegal aliens to ICE operations in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Her online activity not only encouraged others to evade law enforcement but also risked the safety of federal officers carrying out their duties.
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the deportation, and DHS officials didn’t mince words when posting on X: “You bet we did.”
Mafla-Martinez’s own arrest became social media fodder in August when ICE agents apprehended her during a livestream. The video — showing her shouting in Spanish from inside her Tesla — quickly circulated online. McLaughlin later stated, “On August 15, ICE arrested Leidy Tatiana Mafla-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien from Colombia who was convicted for driving under the influence in Los Angeles.”
In a follow-up post, McLaughlin emphasized a larger concern shared by many Americans: “This criminal illegal alien entered the country in 2022 and was RELEASED by the Biden administration.” That detail highlights the administration’s lenient border enforcement policies, which continue to allow individuals with criminal backgrounds to remain in the U.S.
The chaos surrounding Mafla-Martinez’s arrest didn’t end there. As ICE agents detained her, an illegal alien tow-truck driver, later identified as Bobby Nunez, allegedly towed away an ICE patrol vehicle used in the operation. He was later arrested and charged with theft of government property — a felony carrying up to 10 years in prison, according to U.S. Attorney Bill Essalyi.
Despite her attorney’s claim that Mafla-Martinez was “targeted” for filming ICE operations, the facts are clear: she was in the country illegally, had a prior criminal conviction, and actively undermined law enforcement. While activists frame her as a victim, her actions fit a troubling pattern of individuals using social media clout to glorify defiance of U.S. law.
Until her removal last week, Mafla-Martinez was held in an ICE detention facility in Southern California. Her deportation serves as a reminder that while the administration’s border policies remain inconsistent, the rule of law still matters — and actions that endanger officers and obstruct enforcement have real consequences.
