EXCLUSIVE: DHS fires back at claims ICE raided 'wrong home' in Oklahoma smuggling investigation

The raid in question occurred on April 24 at a single-family home in northwest Oklahoma City. When ICE agents, assisted by Oklahoma state police, carried out the raid they encountered a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Guatemala as well as three others, the youngest of whom was 17.

A representative for DHS told Fox News Digital that the raid was a "lawful, court-authorized action explicitly targeting a property, which was a hub for human smuggling, not specific individuals as falsely suggested by media reports."

The representative clarified that the warrant "targeted the property itself, not specific individuals, and its execution was not contingent on the presence of any person."

From its months-long surveillance of the property, including observations as recently as April 20, DHS had probable cause to believe that the primary targets of the warrant, Cidia Lima-Lopez and V. Lima-Lopez, illegal aliens from Guatemala, were continuing to use the house for illegal activities.

The spokesperson said that Homeland Security Investigations agents further confirmed via utility records that a member of the Lima Lopez transnational criminal organization was still paying utilities at the residence.

DHS said that the warrant authorized the seizure of evidence, including electronic devices and documents, "regardless of who was present."  

Though the family living in the home is no longer in federal custody, the spokesperson said that the investigation is still ongoing and "we have not ruled out current occupants' involvement in the smuggling ring."

Fox News Digital reached out for comment from Balint and The Independent but did not immediately hear back.