Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are now being hit with a reported 500% increase in assaults while carrying out their missions, according to newly released data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The surge in violence against ICE agents has drawn continued critique from the Trump administration, who say left-wing rhetoric and sanctuary policies are ramping up their attacks against law enforcement officials.
“The Department of Homeland Security released new data revealing ICE law enforcement is now facing a 500% increase in assaults against them while carrying out enforcement operations. Just this week, an ICE officer was dragged 50 yards by a car while arresting an illegal alien sex offender,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
According to DHS, ICE officers are not only being physically attacked during enforcement operations, but also personally targeted, with some agents and their families recently doxxed online. DHS officials have now publicly vowed that anyone found leaking the private information of ICE personnel will face major criminal prosecution.
McLaughlin placed direct blame on high-profile Democrats such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, accusing them of contributing to the hostility against ICE through their support for sanctuary policies and public insults against the agency.
“(These politicians) are contributing to the surge in assaults of our ICE officers through their repeated vilification and demonization of ICE. From comparisons to the modern-day Nazi Gestapo to glorifying rioters, the violent rhetoric of these sanctuary politicians is despicable. This violence against ICE must end,” McLaughlin added.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed that message, warning that the agency will not tolerate attacks from the public or political leaders on law enforcement officials.
“You will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Noem said.
Under Trump’s second term, the administration has doubled down on immigration enforcement and border security, as previously covered by The Dallas Express. Earlier this year, the White House announced that over 150,000 illegal aliens had been deported in the first 100 days of Trump’s return to office.