A California Democratic lawmaker’s staff member was arrested by federal immigration officials at an airport in Las Vegas, according to multiple reports.
Ho-Yin Mo, a former Chinese-language television anchor in San Francisco who later became a legislative aide for California Assemblywoman Catherine Stefani, was detained Thursday at Harry Reid International Airport.
The Department of Homeland Security told News Outlet that Mo entered the United States legally on Jan. 13, 2020, but remained after his temporary authorization expired on May 15 of that year. The agency added that employment authorization or a pending immigration application does not, by itself, provide lawful status in the country.
Harry Reid airport in Las Vegas sign. (iStock)
Mo served as a field representative for Stefani, whose district includes parts of San Francisco and San Mateo County. Before joining the California Assembly, Stefani was a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 2018 through 2024.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mo began working in Stefani’s office in January 2025.
“No one is above the law, not even the California legislature and its staff,” Bill Essayli, first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, said in a post on X.
Stefani called for Mo to be released in a statement provided to News Outlet.
She described Mo as a dedicated public servant and a valued legal employee of the California Legislature who has served San Francisco and Bay Area residents. Stefani said his previous work as a television reporter helped him build a strong connection with Chinese American constituents, many of whom recognized him from his time on air.
California state Assemblywoman Catherine Stefani speaks during a press conference at City Hall in San Francisco. Her aide, Ho-Yin Mo, a former news reporter, was arrested by ICE officers last week in Las Vegas. (San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
“Our whole community eagerly awaits Ho Yin’s return to his home and his job where he is loved and adored,” Stefani said.
Before joining Stefani’s staff, Mo worked as an outreach organizer for former San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s unsuccessful 2024 reelection campaign, with a focus on Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, the New York Post reported.
General view of the interior of Harry Reid international airport in Las Vegas, NV, Saturday, September 20, 2025. (Michael Anthony for News Outlet)
Joe Arellano, a spokesperson for Breed, previously said Mo’s visibility from his work at KTSF and his professional experience made him a natural choice for the campaign’s outreach efforts.
Mo is expected to remain in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody while removal proceedings move forward.
DHS said the Trump administration had reversed a Biden-era policy it characterized as allowing people who are in the country illegally to travel by air within the United States. The agency said it would enforce restrictions intended to prevent unauthorized immigrants from flying domestically, except when departing the country voluntarily or through removal procedures.
