The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported a sharp rise in violence against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers over the past year. According to new statistics released by DHS, assaults on ICE law enforcement personnel increased by more than 1,300% compared to the previous year, while vehicular attacks surged by 3,200%. Additionally, there was an 8,000% increase in death threats made against ICE officers.
DHS attributes these increases to what it describes as hostile rhetoric from certain politicians in sanctuary jurisdictions. During the first year of the Trump administration, from January 20 to December 31, 2025, officials documented 275 assaults on ICE officers. This figure represents a significant jump from the 19 assaults reported during the same period in 2024.
From January 21, 2025 through January 7, 2026, there were also 66 recorded vehicular attacks targeting ICE law enforcement officers. The prior year saw only two such incidents during this time frame.
“This unprecedented increase in violence against law enforcement is a direct result of sanctuary politicians and the media creating an environment that demonizes our law enforcement and encourages rampant assaults against them. 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,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “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 department highlighted several statements from public officials that it says have contributed to a climate hostile toward federal immigration authorities. Among those cited are Minnesota Governor Tim Walz referring to ICE as “modern-day Gestapo,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey calling for ICE to leave his city using explicit language, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urging people to “fight” President Trump’s agenda “in the streets,” Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker comparing current U.S. actions under ICE with Nazi Germany, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu likening mask-wearing ICE agents to Neo-Nazi groups, and Representative Becca Balint describing ICE officers as “vigilantes” involved in “kidnapping.”
Examples provided by DHS include incidents where an officer was struck with a metal coffee cup requiring stitches; gunfire directed at officers at Prairieland Detention Center; an officer bitten during an arrest; a sniper attack at Dallas’ ICE facility resulting in fatalities; and agents attacked while making arrests related to riots at a marijuana facility.
Vehicular assault examples listed include a suspected gang member ramming an officer’s vehicle into a tree; two separate car attacks on officers near Chicago during Operation Midway Blitz; and another incident where an officer was nearly crushed after being hit by a vehicle driven by someone identified as an illegal alien.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated: “you will not stop or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Members of the public are encouraged by DHS to report doxing or harassment targeting ICE personnel via phone or through its online tip form.
