Janelle Stelson, DHS and the ICE Arrest, Campaign Denial, Hatch Act Complaint and Legal Analysis

On October 7, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had arrested Chimaobim Adedayo Igbojekwe, a Nigerian national, and said he had been working as a canvasser for Democratic congressional candidate Janelle Stelson. Stelson’s campaign says that is false. It says he never worked for the campaign and that it had never heard of him before the arrest.

Two separate legal questions sit inside this story. The first is a factual one: was Igbojekwe connected to the Stelson campaign at all? The second is a legal one: did a federal agency cross a line when it put a political attack on a candidate into an official enforcement announcement? A watchdog complaint filed under the Hatch Act focuses on that second question.

This is not a class action, lawsuit settlement or claims process. There is nothing for the public to file. It is a local criminal case, a federal immigration matter and a disputed government press release.

Quick Facts: Janelle Stelson, Chimaobim Adedayo Igbojekwe and DHS

Detail	What is known as of October 9, 2026
Candidate	Janelle Stelson (Democratic nominee, Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District)
Opponent	Rep. Scott Perry (Republican incumbent)
Person arrested	Chimaobim Adedayo Igbojekwe, a Nigerian national
Local arrest	September 27, 2026, East Pennsboro Township Police, Pennsylvania
Local charges filed	Indecent exposure and disorderly conduct
Local outcome	Pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly conduct; the indecent exposure charge was withdrawn, according to court documents reported by local media
ICE arrest	October 1, 2026
DHS press release	October 7, 2026
DHS claim	He was “working as a canvasser” for the Stelson campaign
Campaign response	Campaign Manager Alma Baker said he “has never been employed” by the campaign
Federal Election Commission (FEC) records	Reported to show no payments or financial relationship between the campaign and Igbojekwe
Law at issue	Hatch Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 7321–7326
Watchdog complaint	Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) reportedly filed a complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) on October 8, 2026
Official finding of a Hatch Act violation	None identified
Lawsuit by Stelson	None identified

Timeline: How the Stelson Campaign Claim Spread Before DHS Announced It

1. September 27, 2026: East Pennsboro Township police respond to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked near a public park on a residential street. The officer reports that Igbojekwe’s genitals were exposed. Police say he told them he was waiting to hand out flyers for the Stelson campaign, and flyers were in his vehicle.
2. September 30, 2026: According to Keystone Newsroom, a Facebook page called the Camp Hill Police Blotter labeled him a “political canvasser” for Stelson. The criminal complaint itself did not say he worked for the campaign.
3. October 1, 2026: ICE arrests Igbojekwe after his release from local custody.
4. October 7, 2026: DHS issues its press release. According to The Washington Sun, the release cited an article from a conservative outlet, Shore News Network, in which activist Scott Presler identified Igbojekwe as a Stelson canvasser.
5. October 8, 2026: Stelson’s campaign denies any connection. Keystone Newsroom reports that the Perry campaign began sending paid text messages to district residents with a graphic calling him a Stelson “illegal alien campaign worker.” CREW’s Hatch Act complaint is reported the same day.

The order matters. The “canvasser” label appears to have started with a social media post and an activist’s claim, and DHS then repeated it in an official release. ICE reportedly declined to say what evidence it had and sent reporters its earlier press release.

What Did DHS and ICE Say About Janelle Stelson?

DHS said Igbojekwe entered the United States in June 2017 on a legal visa, stayed past his authorized period in 2019 and was granted deferred action in 2021 under the Biden administration. It said local police arrested him after the exposure incident and that he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.

The release then went further than describing an arrest. It attributed to ICE Deputy Director Charles Wall a statement calling it unbelievable that Stelson would employ someone in the country illegally for a congressional campaign, and it used a harsh personal insult about Igbojekwe. That language is the heart of the ethics complaint, because it names a candidate in a competitive House race.

Did Janelle Stelson’s Campaign Hire the Man Arrested by ICE?

The campaign says no. Alma Baker said he was never employed by the campaign and that the campaign never heard of him before news of the arrest. Asked whether he might have been a contractor’s worker or a volunteer, she answered “No,” according to The Washington Sun. The campaign also said that if he is in the country illegally and committed a crime, he should be deported.

What the public record does and does not show:

• Shown: Police wrote that Igbojekwe said he was waiting to hand out Stelson flyers, and flyers were in his vehicle.
• Shown: FEC records reportedly list no financial relationship between the campaign and him.
• Not shown: Who gave him the flyers, whether anyone from the campaign or an outside group directed him, or whether he acted on his own.
• Not shown: What evidence DHS relied on beyond the police report details and the activist’s claim.

Possessing campaign flyers does not prove employment. At the same time, FEC records are not a perfect test. They show reported disbursements, and campaigns file on set schedules, so an absence from the filings is evidence but not proof. The honest summary is that DHS’s claim is unverified, the campaign’s denial is unrebutted so far, and neither side has produced documents that settle it.

What Happened in East Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania?

According to the police report described in news coverage, an officer responded on September 27, 2026, to a suspicious vehicle near a park. When Igbojekwe opened the door, the officer observed that he was exposed. He reportedly told police he did not know this was illegal.

He was charged with indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. Court documents reported by Local 21 News show he pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly conduct and that the indecent exposure charge was withdrawn. One further disorderly conduct count was also reported withdrawn. Reports describe the surviving count as a third-degree misdemeanor.

Under Pennsylvania law, disorderly conduct is defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5503 and indecent exposure in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3127. The distinction is important for accuracy: Igbojekwe has not been convicted of indecent exposure. Describing him that way, as some online posts have, would be wrong based on the court records reported so far.

Why Did ICE Arrest Chimaobim Adedayo Igbojekwe?

DHS says he was admitted lawfully in 2017, remained after his authorized stay ended in November 2019 and received deferred action in 2021. A person admitted as a nonimmigrant who fails to maintain status can be removable under 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(1)(C)(i). An ICE immigration detainer was reportedly lodged, and ICE took him into custody on October 1 after his release from Cumberland County Prison. Detainers are governed by 8 C.F.R. § 287.7.

Several points are worth keeping straight:

• Deferred action is not lawful status. It is a discretionary decision to defer removal for a period. It does not create a path to a green card by itself. People with deferred action can apply for work authorization under 8 C.F.R. § 274a.12(c)(14), and whether he held a work permit has not been reported.
• An overstay, a local plea and a removal order are three different things. The public record does not show whether removal proceedings have begun or what the immigration court will decide.
• A misdemeanor plea does not by itself decide removability. The overstay is the main stated basis in DHS’s account.

What Is the Hatch Act, and Why Is DHS Accused of Violating It?

The Hatch Act is a federal law limiting the political activity of most executive-branch employees. It is codified at 5 U.S.C. §§ 7321–7326, and implementing rules appear at 5 C.F.R. Part 734.

The sections that matter here:

• 5 U.S.C. § 7323(a)(1): A covered employee may not use official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of an election. This is the provision most relevant to a government press release.
• 5 U.S.C. § 7324: Bars covered employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, in a federal room or building, while wearing an official uniform or insignia, or while using a government vehicle. “Political activity” means activity directed at the success or failure of a political party, a partisan candidate or a partisan group. Certain presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed officials are generally exempt from § 7324, although § 7323(a)(1) still applies to them.
• 5 U.S.C. § 7326: Lists penalties for violations, including removal, reduction in grade, debarment from federal employment for up to five years, suspension, reprimand, or a civil penalty of up to $1,000.

The OSC investigates Hatch Act complaints and can seek discipline before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) under 5 U.S.C. § 1215. For some presidential appointees, OSC reports its findings to the President instead. That path was visible in the Kellyanne Conway matter, where the President rejected an OSC recommendation to remove her.

Why Did CREW File a Complaint Against DHS and ICE?

CREW, a Washington watchdog group, reportedly filed its complaint with OSC on October 8. Its argument, as described in coverage, is that DHS used an official communication to attack a Democratic candidate in a competitive race. Because I could not independently confirm the complaint text, readers should look for CREW’s own filing on its website for the exact allegations.

Three limits on what a complaint does:

1. A complaint is an allegation. It is not a finding.
2. The complainant does not control the outcome. In CREW v. Office of Special Counsel (D.D.C. No. 19-3757, Aug. 6, 2020), a federal court dismissed CREW’s challenge to OSC’s handling of Hatch Act complaints because CREW lacked standing. A watchdog can file and publicize, but it cannot force OSC to prosecute.
3. Timing is uncertain. CREW has publicly complained that OSC left several of its complaints against senior officials unresolved for 10 months or more. A quick resolution should not be expected.

Can DHS or ICE Name a Candidate in an Enforcement Press Release?

No law bars every mention of a candidate in a government announcement. Agencies describe arrests and enforcement results constantly. The legal question is whether the statement was used to affect an election, which turns on facts an investigator would examine:

• The speaker: Which official approved the release, and which Hatch Act rules cover that person’s position?
• The content: Was the candidate’s name needed to explain the arrest, or was the language political criticism?
• The factual basis: Did DHS verify the canvasser claim before publishing it, or rely on an activist’s post?
• The timing: The release came weeks before a November election in a closely watched district.
• The resources used: Were official channels and staff time used for a partisan purpose?

DHS could argue the release was a factual enforcement update. Critics could answer that the political attack served no enforcement purpose. OSC, not a press account, would weigh that.

Would the Hatch Act Claim Still Matter if Igbojekwe Did Hand Out Stelson Flyers?

Potentially, yes. The Hatch Act asks how a federal employee used official authority, not only whether the underlying statement was true. A true statement can still raise a § 7323 question if it was used as a political attack through an official channel. The reverse is also true: a false statement that was made carelessly is not automatically a Hatch Act violation. Investigators would look at both accuracy and purpose, and the accuracy question bears heavily on the evidence of intent.

Could Janelle Stelson Sue DHS or ICE for Defamation?

No lawsuit has been reported, and a claim would face steep barriers.

• Public-figure standard. Stelson is a candidate for federal office. Under New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, 376 U.S. 254 (1964), a public figure must prove actual malice, meaning knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth. Pennsylvania’s defamation statute also places specific burdens on the plaintiff (42 Pa.C.S. § 8343).
• Suing the government. The Federal Tort Claims Act excludes libel and slander claims against the United States (28 U.S.C. § 2680(h)).
• Suing individual officials. The Westfall Act (28 U.S.C. § 2679) generally substitutes the United States as defendant for torts committed within the scope of federal employment. Separately, Barr v. Matteo, 360 U.S. 564 (1959), recognized immunity for federal officials’ press statements made within the outer perimeter of their duties, a doctrine courts have narrowed over time.
• Deadline. Pennsylvania’s one-year limit for defamation (42 Pa.C.S. § 5523(1)) would be a consideration for claims against private speakers.

Other parties, such as private social media accounts or political committees that repeated the claim, would face different rules than a federal agency. Those questions would need a licensed attorney’s review.

Can a Campaign Face Legal Trouble for Hiring Someone Without Work Authorization?

Employers, including campaigns that hire paid staff, must verify work eligibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Knowingly hiring or continuing to employ an unauthorized worker is prohibited by 8 U.S.C. § 1324a, and using contract labor knowing the worker is unauthorized is also covered. Volunteers are generally not employees for these purposes, though facts matter.

On the information available, no enforcement action against the Stelson campaign has been announced, and the campaign denies any employment relationship. Political committees must also report disbursements to the FEC under 52 U.S.C. § 30104, which is why the FEC records are part of this story.

What Happens Next in the Stelson, DHS and Hatch Act Dispute?

Developments worth watching:

• Whether OSC confirms it is reviewing CREW’s complaint, and what it does with it.
• Whether DHS produces evidence that Igbojekwe worked for the campaign, or revises its release.
• Whether any person or group supplied him with the flyers.
• Whether the Perry campaign or other political committees correct or defend their use of the claim.
• The outcome of Igbojekwe’s immigration proceedings.

What Is the Legal Status as of October 9, 2026?

• Igbojekwe pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in Pennsylvania. The indecent exposure charge was withdrawn.
• ICE arrested him on October 1 and he faces immigration proceedings.
• DHS’s claim that he worked for the Stelson campaign is disputed and unsupported by public documents so far.
• A Hatch Act complaint has reportedly been filed. No violation has been found.
• No lawsuit by Stelson or against her campaign has been reported.

Frequently Asked Questions: Janelle Stelson, DHS, ICE and the Hatch Act

Who is Janelle Stelson?

Janelle Stelson is the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District in the 2026 election. She is running against Republican Rep. Scott Perry, whom she lost to narrowly in 2024.

Did Janelle Stelson’s campaign hire the man ICE arrested?

The campaign says no and says it did not know him. DHS says he was a canvasser. Police wrote that he said he was waiting to hand out Stelson flyers. No public document so far shows he was hired, paid or directed by the campaign.

Who is Chimaobim Adedayo Igbojekwe?

He is a Nigerian national arrested in East Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania, on September 27, 2026, and taken into ICE custody on October 1, 2026.

Was Igbojekwe convicted of indecent exposure?

No, based on court documents reported by local media. The indecent exposure charge was withdrawn, and he pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly conduct.

What is the Hatch Act complaint against DHS?

CREW reportedly asked the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether DHS’s release used official authority to attack a candidate, which would implicate 5 U.S.C. § 7323(a)(1).

Has DHS been found to have violated the Hatch Act?

No. As of October 9, 2026, no finding of a violation has been identified.

What penalties does the Hatch Act carry?

Under 5 U.S.C. § 7326, penalties for covered employees can include removal, reduction in grade, debarment of up to five years, suspension, reprimand or a civil penalty of up to $1,000.

Does deferred action mean Igbojekwe had lawful status?

Not by itself. Deferred action postpones removal but does not create lawful immigration status, although some recipients can obtain work authorization.

Can Janelle Stelson sue DHS for defamation?

She could try, but she would face the actual-malice standard for public figures, the Federal Tort Claims Act’s exclusion of defamation claims, and federal-official immunity doctrines. No lawsuit has been reported.

Is there a class action or settlement connected to this story?

No. There is no class action, settlement or claims process.

Disclaimer: This article is general legal information, not legal advice. AllAboutLawyer.com is not a law firm. Allegations described here have not been proven, and the campaign relationship remains disputed. Consult a licensed attorney for advice about your situation.

Sources

1. Local 21 News, “DHS, Stelson campaign respond after undocumented immigrant accused of exposing himself,” on court documents and the plea
2. The Washington Times, “DHS: Democratic campaign hired illegal immigrant who exposed himself,” October 7, 2026
3. The Washington Sun, “Democratic Congressional Campaign Says DHS Claim It Hired a Criminal Is Bogus,” on the campaign’s denial and DHS’s cited source
4. Keystone Newsroom, “ICE, Republicans push false report against Janelle Stelson’s campaign,” on FEC records, the September 30 social media post and the Perry campaign texts
5. The Daily Caller, “ICE Arrests Nigerian Illegal Immigrant For Exposing Himself While Allegedly Canvassing In Key House Race,” October 8, 2026
6. U.S. Office of Special Counsel, Hatch Act guidance for federal employees (osc.gov)
7. 5 U.S.C. §§ 7321–7326; 5 C.F.R. Part 734; 8 U.S.C. §§ 1227, 1324a; 28 U.S.C. §§ 2679, 2680(h); 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 3127, 5503; 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5523, 8343
8. CREW v. Office of Special Counsel, D.D.C. No. 19-3757 (JEB) (Aug. 6, 2020)

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against local and national news reporting on the court records, the Stelson campaign’s public statement, and the statutory text of the Hatch Act and related federal and Pennsylvania laws, as of October 9, 2026. Last Updated: October 9, 2026.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher