The Department of Homeland Security on Thursday said death threats against ICE personnel have increased 8,000% as the agency moves to carry out President Trump’s deportation plans. Here’s what you need to know about the escalating threats and specific examples targeting immigration enforcement officers:
Massive spike in threats
DHS reports unprecedented level of violence against ICE officers:
- Department of Homeland Security on Thursday said death threats against ICE personnel have increased 8,000% as agency moves to carry out President Trump’s deportation plans
- “From bounties placed on their heads for their murders, threats to their families, stalking and doxxing online, our officers are experiencing unprecedented level of violence and threats against them and their families,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said
- Department did not provide breakdown for increase and time period
Data questions
Critics have questioned previous DHS statistics:
- Previously, department spoke of 1,000% increase in assaults on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel but has declined to provide data behind that
- Critics have questioned data, saying ICE was counting minor confrontations that didn’t rise to level of serious or criminal behavior
Blame on sanctuary jurisdictions
DHS official points to political leaders for anti-ICE sentiment:
- Ms. McLaughlin blamed sanctuary jurisdictions and politicians who lead them for growing anti-ICE sentiment she said was fueling situation
- “This violence against law enforcement must end,” she said
Specific threat examples
Department provides evidence of targeting ICE families:
- In one example provided by Homeland Security, ICE officer’s spouse in Texas received call that said, “I hope your kids get deported by accident,” and compared family to Nazis
- Department also provided social media post from last week in which someone called on people in Whatcom County, Washington, to “make life hard for ICE”
- Person urged people to follow and record movements of agency personnel
Social media harassment campaign
Online posts call for targeting ICE officers as “Nazis”:
- “They need to be told they are Nazis every day they come to work, they need to be reminded that they are Nazis every day when they go home. I start on my next day off, you should too,” person posted
- Someone responded that “we used to hang traitors in this country” and “I hope we get back to that soon”
- “Me too my friend, me too,” said original poster, operating under screen name James Warren
Read more:
• DHS reports 8,000% increase in death threats against ICE personnel
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