The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that two envelopes containing a white powdery substance were sent to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices in Texas, including the Dallas facility where previous incidents occurred this year.
On Friday morning, an ICE officer at the Dallas office opened an envelope addressed to the "Dallas Field Office" and found a suspicious white powder. A hazardous materials team responded along with the Federal Protective Service and Dallas Fire Department. The building was temporarily placed under shelter in place while authorities investigated. After inspection, normal operations resumed at the facility. A second envelope with similar contents was discovered at ICE offices in Irving, Texas.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: “On Friday morning, an ICE officer discovered a white powdery substance in an envelope addressed to the Dallas ICE facility. A second envelope with white powder was also found at the Irving ICE office. ICE staff called a hazmat team to investigate. There is no threat to the public and the matter is under investigation,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “This incident comes after the deadly terrorist attack in September and a bomb threat in August at the Dallas facility. Our ICE officers are facing a 1000% increase in assaults and an 8000% increase in death threats against them as they remove dangerous criminals from our communities. We call on politicians and activists to tone down their rhetoric before a law enforcement officer is killed.”
According to DHS, ICE officers have experienced sharp increases in both assaults and death threats this year while performing their duties.
Earlier this year, another incident involving white powder occurred at 26 Federal Plaza in New York City’s ICE offices, according to DHS reports. Law enforcement agencies have also observed more vehicle ramming attacks targeting federal law enforcement personnel.
Secretary Kristi Noem reiterated DHS’s stance: Anyone who attacks law enforcement will face prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.
