Following public attention and concern from residents, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released new details about a woman who was arrested on July 15 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Chaparral, Texas.

In a video posted to social media, the incident suggested the woman, ‘a poor little grandma,’ went into a local convenience store asking for help because she was ‘being followed’ by ICE.

Agents arrived at the location and were seen speaking with the woman before being arrested.

The woman was identified by DHS as Martha Sias, a Mexican national and green card holder.

Sias on Wednesday, July 15, during what the agency described as a targeted immigration enforcement operation.

According to a statement from DHS, Sias is a convicted methamphetamine trafficker.

Despite how local news attempted to frame the arrest, DHS told reporter Ali Bradley, ” On July 15, ICE conducted a targeted immigration enforcement operation and arrested Martha Sias, a criminal alien from Mexico who is a convicted meth trafficker.”

“Martha Sias is a green card holder who is amendable to removal proceedings because of her criminal history. She will receive full due process and has an upcoming hearing.”

“Possessing a green card is a privilege, not a right. Under our nation’s laws, our government has the authority to revoke a green card if our laws are broken and abused.”

“Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, ICE is targeting the worst of the worst. Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S.”

What @DHSgov told me about this encounter:

“On July 15, ICE conducted a targeted immigration enforcement operation and arrested Martha Sias, a criminal alien from Mexico who is a convicted meth trafficker. Martha Sias is a green card holder who is amendable to removal… https://t.co/jHWnSHzyuE

— Ali Bradley (@AliBradleyTV) July 17, 2026

KFOX14/CBS4 obtained the complaint affidavit that details Sias’s drug arrest in January 2022.

According to the documents, on January 12, 2022, at around 1 p.m., Sias crossed from Ciudad Juarez to El Paso through the Paso Del Norte border bridge, driving a maroon Ford Expedition SUV with her husband.

Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection said they noticed something was off with the SUV’s rear door panels after a portable X-ray scan.

Then, after officers interview them regarding where they were coming from and what they were bringing in from Mexico, the documents state that Sias told officers she had gone to Juarez to sign up some customers for OMNILIFE supplements, which she said she sold, and denied bringing anything illegal into the country.

However, according to the documents, after a second inspection, officers discovered 18 bundles of meth (about 20 lbs.) hidden inside the two rear door panels.

According to the court records, Sias pleaded guilty to manufacturing/delivery of a controlled substance in October 2025.

She was sentenced to 10 years’ probation with 400 hours of community service.

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