ICE Agents Recognized for Heroic Actions During Dallas Shooting
Two ICE agents and a staff member were honored by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin for their brave actions during a shooting incident at the Dallas ICE field office in 2025. They spoke exclusively about the chaos and the increased threats that ICE agents now face nationwide.
Mullin awarded the officers medals for their courageous responses when a sniper fired 17 rounds from a rooftop near the facility.
Marco Solis, a deportation officer, described the moment he was caught by surprise as bullets tore through the building. “I got hit in the head with something,” he recalled. It turned out to be fragments from sheetrock after a bullet went through multiple walls. “You just didn’t know where it was coming from. And then, it hit me—it was an active shooter situation.”
The officers immediately shifted into a life-or-death rescue mode as detainees found themselves under fire.
Andres Ghosh, another deportation officer, recounted how he and his colleagues worked to get injured detainees to safety. “I physically pulled a victim out of the transport van and set up a triage area,” Ghosh noted.
Reflecting on the dangers they face daily, Ghosh emphasized, “It’s part of the job. Every law enforcement officer thinks, ‘Am I going to die? Am I going to get hurt?'”
The shooting incident has led to heightened security measures across ICE facilities in the country, which, according to Ghosh, is now a grim reality for all deportation officers. “It’s something we’ve accepted,” he added. “We must continue to trust each other and stress the need for training.”
Solis, who has over 18 years with federal service, expressed that he has never encountered such a perilous environment. “In my career, I have not seen violence and volatility like this. It’s a new way of life for us,” he stated.
The agents addressed the increasing hostility toward ICE, pointing out that their families are often targeted due to their roles. “Our families shouldn’t bear the brunt of threats just because their loved ones enforce immigration laws as set by Congress,” Solis lamented.
Ghosh highlighted that much of the animosity against ICE is stoked by misinformation. “There are people paid to incite chaos, diverting us from our priorities,” he stated. “We are not the bad guys; we are human beings with families just like everyone else.”
Christopher Pyne, a removal assistant, noted that the actions of the officers during the shooting showcased their humanity. “They were willing to risk everything to save a captive,” he pointed out.
Solis concluded by noting that their motivations are not rooted in seeking awards or recognition. “It’s humbling. We do it because it’s the right thing,” he said.
