Since the launch of President Donald Trump’s extensive deportation strategy, ICE agents have faced severe backlash, often becoming targets of public animosity. Recently, three agents expressed their discontent with the hostile rhetoric that has put them in the spotlight.
“It’s quite disheartening to see things get worse. The attention has shifted towards us,” Officer Christian Moreno shared during an interview on “My Views” with Lala Trump over the weekend. He went on to explain that he needed to discuss the issue with his family before speaking out, stating, “I think it’s crucial for us to share our side with Americans. We have our work to do. We’re just enforcing the law, and it’s unfortunate, but we keep moving forward.”
Moreno, who operates out of a field office in Baltimore, Maryland, previously worked with the TSA before joining Customs and Border Protection in San Isidro, California.
The three agents, including Moreno, Edgard Centeno, and Chris Sandoval, articulated their fears regarding their families’ safety amid rising violence against ICE staff. According to the Department of Homeland Security, there has been an 830% spike in assaults on ICE agents since January.
Centeno, who has the longest service history among the three, noted never witnessing such hostility during his tenure across four administrations. “It’s alarming to see the dynamics in our work environment. The situation in California, Los Angeles, and New York is, in my view, unacceptable,” he remarked.
“We need to do our jobs. We’ve committed to upholding the Constitution. Our role is important, yet it saddens me to see our country so divided when we return to serve,” he added.
Centeno, originally from New York and raised in Puerto Rico, has a robust background in the military and law enforcement, which fuels his commitment to serving his community through his role at ICE. Although he didn’t single out specific lawmakers, he criticized those who have, in his opinion, incited hostility toward ICE officers, asserting that the agency’s focus is on their enforcement duties rather than targeting families of individuals.
“I support the First Amendment and free expression, but when members of Congress appear to encourage people to pursue us, that crosses a line,” he stated. “We should feel safe in our duties. I’ve pledged to defend the Constitution, and I’m ready to give my life for it.”
Some Democratic lawmakers have drawn ire from Republicans for proposing legislation that would prevent federal immigration law enforcement officials from wearing face coverings or using easily identifiable badges while on duty, a move viewed as risking their safety and that of their families.
The DHS has also criticized certain Democrats and the media for spreading what they termed “false narratives” regarding violence against ICE agents. Sandoval, based in Houston, reported instances where officials have been filmed or photographed, which can be made public, potentially exacerbating the risks they face. “It’s just unfair… we’re here to serve our nation, yet sometimes the narratives being shared can harm our own community,” he remarked.
