New figures released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reveal a dramatic rise in assaults against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during the first 21 months of President Trump’s second administration. The agency recorded 647 attacks, compared with just 37 incidents in the comparable period of the Biden administration – an increase of over 1,700%.
Administration attributes surge to anti‑ICE rhetoric
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin directly blamed Democratic leaders for the escalation. He said the violence is “a result of vicious lies being spread by sanctuary politicians and their foot soldiers who are involved in anti‑ICE riots and other acts of violence.” Mullin called on those officials to stop putting the needs of illegal immigrants ahead of the safety of American citizens and to work with the department to make America safe again.
Violent incidents reported nationwide
The Center Square documented a series of attacks across the country. In Minneapolis, three rioters assaulted federal agents, one biting off a finger of an ICE Homeland Security Investigations agent. San Francisco saw four agents injured in a separate assault, while Los Angeles witnessed rioters hurling rocks and Molotov cocktails at ICE and Border Patrol officers, resulting in a prison sentence of two and a half years for one convicted participant.
Resisting arrests also turned violent. In Houston, a Salvadoran national convicted of child sexual assault struck an ICE officer with a metal coffee cup, burning his face and cutting his lip. Another Houston incident involved a Mexican national who strangled a Border Patrol agent while attempting to flee. Similar attacks were reported in Tullos, Louisiana, where an illegal foreign national bit an officer’s hand.
Targeted threats and extremist plots
Authorities reported doxxing, bomb threats, and mailed white‑powder envelopes aimed at ICE facilities from North Carolina to San Diego. A notable incident on July 4, 2025, involved an Antifa‑linked ambush on an ICE detention center in Alvarado, Texas, where a local police officer was shot in the neck. Eight participants were later convicted on terrorism charges and sentenced to decades in prison.
Other extremist actions included a sniper attack on ICE’s Dallas Field Office in September 2025, killing two illegal foreign nationals in custody and injuring a third before taking his own life. Death threats against ICE officers were reported to have risen by 8,000%, with arrests made in Washington, New Jersey, Oregon, and other states.
Legislative response
In response to the surge, Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn of Texas introduced the ICE Protection Act, which would increase penalties for anyone who assaults or injures ICE officers. The bill reflects a bipartisan concern for the safety of federal law‑enforcement personnel who face heightened danger amid escalating anti‑ICE sentiment.
What the data means for communities
While the numbers are stark, they also underscore the importance of strong law‑enforcement support in neighborhoods across the nation. Families and faith‑based groups have expressed relief that the administration is taking a firm stance against those who threaten the safety of officers protecting our borders and communities.
Officials continue to monitor the situation closely, urging the public to report any threats or violent actions against federal agents. The Department of Homeland Security emphasizes that protecting ICE officers is essential to maintaining law and order, safeguarding American citizens, and upholding the Constitution.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
