The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed a significant increase in assaults against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and federal agents since President Donald Trump assumed office. According to the latest report, there were 79 incidents of violence against ICE and federal law enforcement personnel between January 21 and June 30, 2024, compared to just 10 in the same period last year. This represents a 690% year-over-year increase. DHS officials have noted that the true number of assaults may be even higher as some reports could still be pending or under investigation.
The department has highlighted several high-profile incidents, including the case of Eric Anthony Rodriguez, a ‘serial criminal’ with a lengthy criminal history, who was arrested for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport where multiple ICE agents were staying. This incident, which was described as ‘unsuccessful’ with no injuries reported, has drawn attention from officials who have criticized the rhetoric of ‘sanctuary politicians’ for contributing to the violence against law enforcement.
Another notable incident involved a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member, Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, who was charged with an attempted murder of a federal officer. According to court documents, Hurtado-Cariaco, a 30-year-old Venezuelan national living illegally in Bellevue, Nebraska, began to fight with a special agent after being pulled over during a traffic stop. The agent, who had an active immigration-related warrant for Hurtado-Cariaco’s arrest, was thrown off by the suspect and placed in a chokehold until officers pried him away.
DHS has also identified Roberto Carlos Munoz-Guatemala, an illegal alien from Mexico, who was allegedly involved in a violent incident in Bloomington, Minnesota, where he dragged an ICE officer 50 yards down the street with his car while attempting to evade arrest. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that this individual has been committing violent crimes in the U.S. for nearly 15 years and has a criminal history dating back to domestic assault and driving offenses. She criticized the state of Minnesota under Gov. Tim Walz for allowing such individuals to reside there without consequence.
Meanwhile, President Trump is set to visit a newly constructed remote immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, nicknamed ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’ This facility, which is expected to house 5,000 detainees, is part of Trump’s broader deportation agenda. The President has described his deportation efforts as ‘not a nice business,’ reflecting the intensity and scale of the operation. Additionally, Republicans are close to passing Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill,’ which includes $350 billion in funding for his border and national security agenda, with significant allocations for ICE and Border Patrol, as well as new facilities and personnel.