Three unmasked ICE officers have spoken out against the public vilification and threats they face for enforcing immigration laws. The officers, including Kristian Moreno, Edgardo Centeno, and Chris Sandoval, have criticized the surge in assaults against ICE agents, which the Department of Homeland Security claims has increased by 830% since President Trump’s second term began. Centeno, who served in multiple administrations, expressed frustration over the level of hatred directed at ICE agents and emphasized their commitment to defending the Constitution. The Department of Homeland Security has also accused some Democrats and media outlets of inspiring violence against ICE officers through false narratives and doxxing.
Moreno, who works out of the field office in Baltimore, Maryland, initially served in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) before going to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in San Ysidro, California. He shared that the constant vilification has made it difficult to maintain a sense of normalcy, noting that he had to talk to his family about his current responsibilities. He emphasized the importance of sharing their stories to let the public know they are human beings who are simply doing their job.
Centeno, who has the longest service record of the three guests, has served across four administrations and has ‘never seen’ anything like the hatred ICE faces today. He described the current environment as ‘sad’ and ‘unacceptable,’ highlighting the emotional toll of serving in combat and returning to a divided country. He stressed that the agency conducts targeted operations rather than going after families and individuals, and he criticized those who have encouraged public hostility toward ICE officers.
Sandoval, based out of Houston, mentioned that some officers are being videoed or photographed, and the content is posted online so they can be put ‘on blast.’ He acknowledged that while they are doing their job, the public’s negative reactions are harming their community. The officers have also pointed out that some Democrats have drawn ire from Republicans after introducing a bill that would require federal immigration law enforcement officers to not wear face masks and have legible IDs while on the job, which could jeopardize officers and their families by exposing their identities.
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security has accused some Democrats and media outlets of inspiring violence against ICE officers with their ‘lies and fake stories.’ The officers have called for an end to the vilification and have emphasized the importance of due process and the rule of law. They have also highlighted the challenges they face in their daily work, including the risk of physical harm and the stress of being constantly under scrutiny.