Car ramming attacks on ICE agents up by 3200% in 2025: DHS

DHS also reported a significant rise in vehicular-related incidents involving ICE personnel. Between January 21, 2025, and January 7, 2026, ICE officers experienced 66 vehicular attacks, compared to two during the same time span the previous year, an increase DHS calculated as 3,200 percent. In addition, DHS said it has recorded an 8,000 percent increase in death threats directed at ICE law enforcement officers, though the department did not specify the underlying totals in the release.

DHS officials attributed the reported spike in violence to what they described as an increasingly hostile political climate, one they say has been fueled in part by sanctuary city and state policies, as well as public rhetoric from elected officials.

“This unprecedented increase in violence against law enforcement is a direct result of sanctuary politicians and the media creating an environment that demonizes our law enforcement and encourages rampant assaults against them,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. She added that DHS personnel “will not be deterred” and will continue “arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.”

McLaughlin also warned that individuals who target law enforcement will face prosecution. “Anyone who attacks law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she said. In the release, DHS pointed to several public comments by political leaders that it said reflect escalating rhetoric toward ICE and DHS law enforcement. Among those cited were remarks attributed to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who allegedly referred to ICE officers as the “modern-day Gestapo,” and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who has called for ICE to “get the f*ck out of Minneapolis.” DHS also cited a comment from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who urged people to “fight” President Trump’s agenda “in the streets.”

DHS argued that such statements contribute to an environment that encourages attacks on federal law enforcement. The department included a series of examples to illustrate what it described as the worsening threat environment. Among the incidents, DHS highlighted that an ICE officer was struck in the face with a metal coffee cup, resulting in a laceration that required 13 stitches. A group of at least ten individuals allegedly opened fire on ICE officers at the Prairieland Detention Center, and according to DHS, a sniper fired on the Dallas ICE facility, shooting three detainees, killing two and injuring a third. DHS identified a suspect in one case as Luis Jesus Acosta Gutierrez, a criminal illegal alien and suspected Tren de Aragua gang member, who allegedly rammed a law enforcement vehicle into a tree during a stop.

ICE officers were targeted in two separate vehicular assaults in the Chicago metro area during an operation described as “Operation Midway Blitz.” In another incident, DHS said an “illegal alien” struck an ICE officer with a vehicle, nearly crushing the officer.

Despite the reported rise in attacks, DHS leadership said ICE operations will continue. The department emphasized that DHS personnel remain committed to enforcement actions and warned that attackers will face legal consequences.