The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated a lawsuit following reports that protesters in San Francisco reportedly threatened the families of ICE agents, according to a DHS announcement on Friday.
Officials stated that while conducting immigration enforcement operations, about 15 to 20 protesters emerged in San Francisco on Wednesday. Among them was an individual named Adrian Guerrero, who faces charges of assault and damaging federal property after allegedly threatening to slash the tires of a federal vehicle and stab a law enforcement officer.
In the release, Guerrero was quoted repeatedly with violent threats, saying things like, “I’m going to hurt you,” and “I’m going to come after your family.”
“Our dedicated ICE officers are currently experiencing an increase of, well, 1,000% in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to apprehend serious offenders and undocumented immigrants. These violent acts stem from the rhetoric used by sanctuary city politicians,” a DHS spokesperson stated.
“We will not let this violence deter us,” Noem remarked, emphasizing the commitment of law enforcement to their duty, which includes apprehending serious criminals like pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members.
At the scene, law enforcement officials recovered a knife, a patterned scarf, and orange goggles in connection with Guerrero.
During the operation, ICE agents were reportedly surrounded and attacked outside a building by the mob. Some agents sustained injuries, including instances of pepper spray being used by the protesters, leading to swollen fingers.
The crackdown on illegal immigration by the Trump administration has coincided with a rise in anti-ICE protests.
In early August, an attack on an ICE office in Washington involved rocks being hurled through windows, igniting a fire at the facility’s rear. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but this event emerged amidst warnings from officials like border chief Tom Homan and Governor Noem about escalating violence against ICE and other authorities.
According to DHS aide Tricia McLaughlin, assaults on ICE enforcement personnel have surged by 830% since President Trump assumed office in January.
