By Naveen Athrappully
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel have faced more than a 1,300 percent increase in assaults and a 3,200 percent increase in vehicular attacks, according to new figures released on Jan. 8 by the Department of Homeland Security.
The department blames “radical rhetoric by sanctuary politicians” for the surge in attacks against federal law enforcement. There was also an 8,000 percent increase in death threats against the officers, according to DHS.
Homeland Security reported 275 assaults during the Trump administration’s 2025 term, comparing it to 19 reported assaults in the same period during the prior administration’s 2024 term, resulting in a 1,347 percent increase.
In about the same time period, there were 66 vehicular attacks against personnel, compared to two such attacks in 2024, the department said.
The increase in violence has previously been reported by The Epoch Times.
Vehicular incidents have occurred mostly when protestors or illegal immigrants attempted to flee law enforcement.
One of the recent incidents involved Juan Carlos Romero, an illegal immigrant from Cuba who was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Dec. 21 after unsuccessfully attempting to evade arrest, according to the agency.
Romero tried to escape by “ramming his car into two officers AND multiple vehicles—causing officers to defensively fire their service weapons,” ICE said. “After a pursuit, he attempted to flee on foot and was eventually subdued, all while resisting arrest and biting an officer during the process.”
Another incident was reported on Dec. 24, when Tiago Alexandre Sousa-Martins, an illegal immigrant from Portugal, allegedly rammed his van into ICE vehicles and attempted to run over officers during a targeted enforcement operation in Maryland.
According to ICE, when officers asked Sousa-Martins to turn off the vehicle’s engine, he refused and “drove his van directly at ICE officers, attempting to run them over,“ DHS said. ”Fearing for their lives and public safety, the ICE officers defensively fired their service weapons, striking the driver.”
Sousa-Martins is currently recovering in a hospital.
Fatal Minneapolis Shooting
Tensions have flared after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.
Videos taken by bystanders and posted online appear to show an officer approaching a vehicle stopped in the middle of the road, demanding the driver open the door and grabbing the handle.
The car begins to pull forward, and a different ICE officer standing in front of the vehicle draws his gun and fires at least two shots at close range.
Federal and state officials have clashed over whether the shooting was justified.
Vice President JD Vance said that the ICE officer was justified in shooting the woman, and he’s not worried about prejudging an investigation. The officer, he added, was firing at the driver in self-defense.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in a Jan. 7 post on X, “I’ve seen the video. Don’t believe this propaganda machine. The state will ensure there is a full, fair, and expeditious investigation to ensure accountability and justice.”
In another post, he said, “We’ve been warning for weeks that the Trump Administration’s dangerous, sensationalized operations are a threat to public safety. To Minnesotans, I say this. I feel your anger. I’m angry. They want a show. We can’t give it to them.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a Jan 8 post on X, “The Trump admin will tell you ICE is here for safety. That is a lie. They are creating chaos and danger while tearing families apart.”
Protests, some involving encampments and barricades, have been held in the city following the incident. Minneapolis Public Schools also canceled classes on Thursday and Friday out of caution.
“Out of an abundance of caution, there will be no school on Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9 due to safety concerns related to today’s incidents around the city,” Minneapolis Public Schools said in a Jan. 7 statement.
Attorney General Pam Bondi warned protestors not to “cross that red line” during demonstrations.
Bondi said that while peaceful protesting is a “sacred American right” protected by the First Amendment, “obstructing, impeding, or attacking federal law enforcement” is a federal crime.
“So is damaging federal property. If you cross that red line, you will be arrested and prosecuted,” she said. “Do not test our resolve.”
The Trump administration’s border czar, Tom Homan, said in a Jan. 8 interview on “CBS Evening News” that he won’t comment on an investigation into the incident.
“It’d be unprofessional to comment on what I think happened in that situation. Let the investigation play out and hold people accountable based on the investigation,” Homan said. “I have not seen ICE act out outside of policy. If they are acting outside of policy, I’m not aware of it. There‘ll be an investigation. They’ll be held accountable.”
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a Jan. 8 statement that the increase in violence against law enforcement officers is a “direct result of sanctuary politicians and the media creating an environment that demonizes our law enforcement.”
“Dangerous criminals—whether they be illegal aliens or U.S. citizens—are assaulting law enforcement and turning their vehicles into weapons to attack law enforcement,” McLaughlin said. “Still, the brave men and women of DHS will not be deterred and will continue arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. Anyone who attacks law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
