Rep. Luna Criticizes Democrats Over ICE Controversy
Florida Representative Anna Paulina Luna voiced her views on Fox News on Tuesday, suggesting that Democrats are using U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as a means to “racebait.”
Appearing on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” Luna noted that a significant number of ICE agents are Hispanic. She accused Democrats of attacking these agents for detaining undocumented immigrants nationwide, highlighting a series of arrests among lawmakers who attempted to retaliate. Furthermore, she mentioned that Democrats aim to prevent federal agents from wearing masks, referencing the COVID-19 mask mandate. Watters remarked that Democrats seemed eager to remove their masks “for the first time in six years.”
“Absolutely. These are the same politicians who enforced mask mandates, making it impossible for people to see their loved ones during tough times like hospital visits. I find that incredibly hypocritical,” Luna stated. “And, they’re mistaken if they think ICE is solely Anglo-American. That’s simply not the truth.”
On the same day, California Senator Scott Wiener introduced legislation that seeks to prohibit law enforcement officers from covering their faces while in public. The goal is to ensure that they wear identifying information. As ICE operations ramp up, Democrats are expected to push for stricter actions against agents, reminiscent of the increased operations during the Trump administration in sanctuary cities across the country.
Videos have surfaced showing ICE agents wearing masks amid a rise in attacks and doxing incidents targeting federal employees since border policies intensified. “ICE is actually about 50% Hispanic,” Luna emphasized. “What they’re really doing is leveraging these policies to create division, trying to portray this as a Hispanic versus white issue, which isn’t accurate. Many Hispanic Americans support these policies.”
According to 2023 data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), there are 199,635 employees under its umbrella, including ICE. The workforce demographics show that 51.7% are white, 22.8% are Hispanic, and 16.7% are Black. In total, minorities constitute 48.3% of DHS employees.
Data from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission indicates that out of approximately 20,337 Border Patrol agents, 50.9% are Hispanic and 43.9% are white. While specific racial demographics for ICE employees are not detailed, the agency employs around 22,007 individuals.
ICE had not yet responded to requests for comments.
