California Assemblywoman Catherine Stefani is calling for the release of her aide Ho-Yin Mo after immigration agents arrested the former television anchor Thursday at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Federal officials say Mo, who works as a field representative in Stefani’s office, illegally overstayed his authorized stay in the United States by more than five years.
Mo is being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement pending removal proceedings. Stefani quickly came to his defense, citing his service to Bay Area communities.
Stefani Defends Mo as a ‘Selfless Public Servant’
The assemblywoman issued a statement describing Mo as a valued member of her team. “Ho Yin is a selfless public servant and a valued, legal employee of the California State Legislature serving our San Francisco and Bay Area communities,” she said. “When Ho Yin and I meet our Chinese-American constituents, he brings a unique sense of belonging to so many who watched him as a TV reporter. And his work goes far beyond presence.”
Stefani added, “Our whole community eagerly awaits Ho Yin’s return to his home and his job where he is loved and adored.”
Before joining her staff in January 2025, Mo was a recognizable face to viewers of KTSF, a Chinese-language television station in the San Francisco Bay Area. He also worked as a community outreach organizer for then-San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s unsuccessful 2024 reelection campaign, focusing on Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. At the time of that hiring, Breed spokesperson Joe Arellano said, “When we learned that Mo was available, we immediately saw an opportunity to bring him on board. His visibility through KTSF connects with a broad audience, and his professional background and experience made him a strong fit.”
Stefani’s district covers parts of San Francisco and San Mateo County. She previously served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 2018 to 2024. Readers can follow the ICE arrest of Stefani’s aide for further developments as they emerge.
DHS Says Employment Does Not Confer Legal Status
The Department of Homeland Security pushed back firmly on Stefani’s characterization of Mo’s status. On January 13, 2020, Mo lawfully entered the U.S. on a temporary basis but illegally overstayed his welcome by failing to depart by May 15, 2020,” the agency told Fox News Digital. Work authorization or a pending application do NOT confer legal status in the United States.”
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, of California’s Central District, also addressed the arrest directly. “No one is above the law, not even the California legislature and its staff,” Essayli wrote on X.
What Happens Next for Mo and the Case
DHS linked the arrest to the Trump administration’s expanded immigration enforcement efforts at domestic airports. “DHS reversed the horrendous Biden-era policy that allowed aliens in our country illegally to jet around our country,” the department said. Under President Trump, DHS will no longer tolerate this. This administration is working diligently to ensure that aliens in our country illegally can no longer fly unless it is out of our country to self-deport.”
Mo is expected to remain in ICE custody while removal proceedings move forward. No court date has been publicly announced, and Stefani has not indicated whether she plans further legal or political action on his behalf.
