Assaults against US immigration officials surge by 830%
US federal immigration officials have faced a “massive surge in attacks” since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said, blaming the situation on “hysterical rhetoric” from “gutter politicians.”
Between January 21 and July 14, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents experienced an 830% increase in assaults compared to the same period last year, the DHS said on Tuesday.
“ICE law enforcement are succeeding in removing terrorists, murderers, pedophiles, and the most depraved among us from America’s communities, even as crazed rhetoric from gutter politicians is inspiring a massive increase in assaults against them,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.
The agency cited several incidents, including a violent altercation involving federal agents during Representative LaMonica McIver’s (D-NJ) congressional oversight visit to the Delaney Hall detention facility in New Jersey in May. The congresswoman wass indicted on federal assault charges, and pleaded not guilty.
“Just this week, Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA) showed a violent mob an ICE employee’s business card, putting a target on his back and prompting the mob to attack him. The official was struck by a rock and sent to the emergency room, where he received multiple stitches,” the DHS said.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem echoed the message, urging “politicians across the country, regardless of political stripe,” to condemn the attacks. She specifically singled out California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Anti-ICE protests in the Golden State devolved into widespread rioting in early June, prompting President Trump to deploy the National Guard. Newsom accused Washington of staging a “federal takeover.” The standoff sparked further protests in cities including New York, Chicago, and Dallas.
