A man, who has been deported twice, attacked an ICE officer during an arrest in Houston, inflicting serious cuts and burns on the officer’s face, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The incident involved a Salvadoran immigrant, Walter Leonel Perez Rodriguez, who allegedly assaulted the officer with a metal coffee cup during an operation on Monday.
The officer sustained burns on one side of his face and severe cuts to his mouth, which required 13 stitches, reported DHS.
This incident is part of an alarming trend; DHS noted a staggering increase in assaults against their agents—by as much as 1,000%.
Perez-Rodriguez first entered the U.S. illegally over 15 years ago, with the exact date and place unspecified. In June 2013, an immigration judge ordered his removal, but he returned to the U.S. illegally. He was deported again on February 24, 2020.
Along with repeated illegal reentry, which is a felony, Perez-Rodriguez has a criminal history that includes charges of child sexual assault, fondling, and multiple DUI offenses.
He is now in ICE custody, and officials claim he “no longer poses a threat” to anyone in the U.S.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented, stating that this “repeat criminal illegal alien” will face serious consequences under the current administration. She emphasized the growing number of assaults against federal law enforcement officers, highlighting the dangers they face while working to apprehend criminals.
This incident follows a significant 10-day operation in Houston where ICE, alongside other federal and Texas authorities, made over 1,500 arrests, including those of violent felons, gang members, and sex offenders.
Brett Bradford, the Director for ICE Removal Operations in Southeast Texas, mentioned that these arrests, which took place from October 22 to 31, have helped protect the community from potential violent crime.
During this operation, 1,505 illegal immigrants were apprehended. It included arrests of gang members, child predators, and others with violent backgrounds, which are believed to have prevented further violence in the community.
ICE has frequently conducted large-scale raids in Houston this year, including an August operation that led to 822 arrests, and earlier raids in February and March totaling 543 arrests.
