The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reports that suspected rioters targeted immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) offices this past weekend.
On Saturday, rocks were hurled at a building in Washington that houses an ICE office, leading to a fire at the rear of the facility. The exact motivation behind this act is still unclear, though local authorities are treating it as arson. The Trump administration is urging Democratic leaders to tone down their criticisms of ICE.
“Let’s be clear,” a spokesperson stated, “Democrats like Hakeem Jeffries and the mayors of Boston, Tim Walz, and Los Angeles are fueling attacks on ICE officials by persistently slandering and vilifying the agency.”
They added, “Comparing ICE to the Nazi Gestapo and glorifying the rioters is deeply troubling. If anyone tries to harm a law enforcement officer, they will face severe consequences.”
An ongoing investigation is taking place in Yakima, Washington, but thankfully, no injuries have been reported following the incident.
This recent arson attack is part of a disturbing rise in assaults against ICE since President Trump returned to office. Reports indicate an astonishing 830% increase in violence against ICE agents.
There have been notable threats directed at these officers, particularly during heightened measures against illegal immigration. A Texas man faced charges in April for allegedly threatening to shoot an ICE officer he recognized in his neighborhood, referring to them as “secret police.” This term has been frequently used by critics of the agency.
In another instance, a New York individual was arrested in July for threatening to kill ICE agents online. He made disturbing comments, saying he couldn’t wait for someone to shoot an ICE agent, adding, “I’ll kill them all; ICE is the New Age Gestapo, stop them.”
Beyond online threats, ICE agents are confronting genuine violence. In response to federal immigration initiatives in Los Angeles, large crowds gathered in June, reportedly surrounding federal buildings and assaulting deportees, vandalizing property, and even setting cars ablaze. Footage revealed chaotic scenes as anti-ICE protests disrupted traffic and damaged public property.
These protests in Los Angeles have seemingly inspired similar unrest across other major cities in the country. Four individuals were arrested in July after they allegedly attacked a Border Patrol vehicle in California while carrying bags branded with an organization under congressional scrutiny for inciting the riots in LA.
Additionally, the Department of Justice recently published an updated list recognizing Washington as one of the sanctuary jurisdictions that largely prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration agencies.
Washington’s history with anti-ICE violence is notable; in 2019, an individual attempted to ignite an immigration detention center in Tacoma, armed with weapons and flares. Although he set a nearby vehicle on fire, he died during a confrontation with law enforcement.
