Most Americans want illegal immigrants deported. But it comes at a cost.
Now a terrifying report exposed rampant violent attacks threatening ICE.
Surge in Assaults on ICE Officers
The Department of Homeland Security reported a staggering 830% increase in assaults against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from January 21 to July 14, 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.
In a Tuesday press release, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated:
“Brave ICE law enforcement are risking their lives every day to keep our communities safe from the worst of the worst criminals. ICE law enforcement are succeeding to remove terrorists, murderers, pedophiles and the most depraved among us from America’s communities, even as crazed rhetoric from gutter politicians are inspiring a massive increase in assaults against them. It is reprehensible that our officers are facing this threat while simply doing their jobs and enforcing the law.”
Political Rhetoric and Its Impact
The Trump administration has pointed to inflammatory statements from Democratic leaders as a catalyst for the increased violence against ICE officers.
On Monday, the president’s rapid response team highlighted remarks from figures like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), who urged people to resist the administration “in the streets” and called for unmasking ICE agents despite known threats to their safety.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) described protesters obstructing ICE operations, sometimes violently, as “inspiring,” while labeling agents “deranged.”
Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), recently charged with “forcibly impeding and interfering with federal officers” in Newark, encouraged supporters to “shut down the city,” declaring, “we are at war.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) compared ICE agents to the “modern-day Gestapo,” and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) criticized agents for wearing masks to protect their identities, likening them to “some 1800s bank robber or some KGB officer in Russia.”
These statements have fueled hostility and endangered agents working to secure communities.
Support for ICE Amid Rising Threats
In response to the unprecedented attacks, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons and Border Czar Tom Homan have defended officers’ decisions to conceal their identities for safety, with Lyons stating, “Our agents face real threats to themselves and their families, and we support measures to protect them.”
ICE’s intensified operations, backed by significant funding from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed on July 4, 2025, have led to the arrest of thousands, including those involved in serious crimes, as part of President Trump’s deportation agenda.
Despite these efforts, the agency faces mounting resistance, with a 700% increase in assaults reported earlier by DHS on X, aligning with the broader trend of escalating violence.
