After Multiple Incidents Including Baltimore, DHS Condemns “Sanctuary” Politicians for Inciting Vehicle Attacks

WASHINGTON D.C. – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a strong condemnation of what it describes as “sanctuary politicians” whose rhetoric is allegedly fueling a surge in vehicle attacks against federal law enforcement officers, particularly those with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). According to DHS, these attacks have seen a dramatic increase, reportedly by 3,300%, driven by what the department characterizes as “dangerous smears and hoaxes.” DHS is urging these politicians, along with associated agitators and media outlets, to de-escalate their language and cease calls for violence or resistance against ICE officers.

“Every day, the brave men and women of ICE and CBP put their lives on the line to protect the American people and remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis. “Yet, because of the dangerous smears and hoaxes spread by sanctuary politicians, our officers are facing a 3,300% increase in vehicle attacks by illegal aliens and anti-ICE agitators. We are once again calling on sanctuary politicians, agitators, and the media to turn the temperature down and stop calling for violence and resistance against ICE law enforcement.”

The department pointed to a series of statements made by various elected officials as examples of this inflammatory rhetoric. These include Minnesota Governor Tim Walz comparing ICE to the “modern-day Gestapo,” and Representative Jasmine Crockett drawing parallels between ICE and “slave patrols,” alleging discriminatory practices and a resemblance to Nazi Germany. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker also reportedly invoked Nazi Germany in relation to ICE operations, while Boston Mayor Michelle Wu likened mask-wearing ICE agents to a Neo-Nazi group. Additionally, Becca Balint allegedly referred to ICE law enforcement officers as “vigilantes” engaged in “kidnapping.” Further examples cited by DHS include actions by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who reportedly hosted a webinar offering advice to individuals on evading ICE arrests, and Representative Dan Goldman, who posted a video encouraging individuals to prepare for encounters with ICE. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom are also mentioned for releasing materials, including multilingual flyers and guides, intended to assist individuals in recognizing ICE, preventing entry, and resisting arrest. Furthermore, Representative Shri Thanedar is noted for introducing legislation to abolish ICE, stating the agency cannot be reformed, and Representative Ilhan Omar for delivering a speech on the House floor calling for the abolition of ICE.

In response to this alleged rhetoric, DHS detailed several instances of vehicle-related assaults against ICE and CBP officers. These incidents, occurring between October 2025 and April 2026, reportedly involved individuals attempting to evade arrest by using their vehicles as weapons. For example, on April 2, 2026, an individual from Honduras allegedly attempted to flee arrest by vehicle, resulting in two ICE officers being hospitalized in Baltimore, Maryland. Another incident on January 13, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas, saw an individual from Cuba reportedly ram two ICE vehicles. In Elgin, Illinois, on December 8, 2025, a Venezuelan national, suspected of being part of Tren de Aragua, allegedly used his car to ram a law enforcement vehicle into a tree. On November 13, 2025, a criminal illegal alien from El Salvador is reported to have intentionally rammed an ICE vehicle and fled the scene in Adelphi, Maryland, before subsequently striking another vehicle and fleeing on foot.

The department also reported multiple vehicle ramming attacks occurring on a single day, November 8, 2025, during immigration enforcement operations in Chicago, Illinois, where U.S. Border Patrol officers were targeted. In that instance, four suspects were arrested, and another was apprehended using a controlled tire deflation device. Additionally, on October 2, 2025, ICE officers reportedly faced two separate vehicular assaults in Illinois on the same day, in Bensenville and Norridge, with both suspects identified as criminal illegal aliens who were subsequently arrested. A more severe incident on September 14, 2025, in Homestead, Florida, involved an individual from Guatemala reversing his car into an ICE officer during a traffic stop in an attempt to flee. This individual also reportedly rammed multiple ICE vehicles and then drove into oncoming traffic, colliding with a utility van. The driver and three other individuals were arrested following this event.

These incidents, as presented by DHS, highlight a perceived direct link between public statements made by elected officials and the escalating threat of violence faced by federal immigration officers. The department’s statement serves as a call for a reduction in hostile rhetoric, aiming to ensure the safety of its personnel who are described as protecting the nation and removing individuals who have violated immigration laws.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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