ICE Officers Under Unprecedented Attack as Death Threats Surge 8,000%

Tuesday, 27 January 2026 05:35 PM EST

The Department of Homeland Security announced a dramatic surge in death threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, with the number rising by an alarming 8,000%, while assaults have increased by more than 1,300%. The announcement followed the release of a chilling voicemail targeting an ICE agent in Minnesota.

DHS disclosed that the spike in violence occurs as ICE officers continue removing dangerous criminals from American communities. The transcript of a voicemail left January 24 for an ICE officer in Minnesota described a disturbing pattern of threats against agents and their families, including explicit calls to kill oneself: “You’re a fing fascist pig. You should fing kill yourself,” the caller stated.

The message escalated to include specific wishes for harm to the officer’s family: “I hope your wife dies. I hope your mom and dad die… I hope you get hit by a bus. I hope you’re paralyzed, and your wife leaves you.” The caller accused the officer of betraying the country and repeatedly urged self-harm: “You are a traitor to the American people, to the values that made our country… You should kill yourself.”

The voicemail continued with graphic accusations against ICE agents and leadership: “I hate you. Everyone hates you. You’re a fing murderer… All of your friends are fing murderers. Your bosses are a bunch of pedophiles.” It concluded with the phrase, “Kill yourself.”

DHS stated that the voicemail reflects a broader national pattern of threats and assaults targeting ICE personnel. Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, said, “Our ICE law enforcement officers are now facing an 8,000% increase in death threats against them and a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them while they risk their lives every single day to remove murderers, pedophiles, rapists, terrorists, and gang members from American neighborhoods.”

McLaughlin placed blame on political rhetoric from sanctuary jurisdictions: “Make no mistake, threatening rhetoric and this unprecedented violence against our law enforcement is incited by sanctuary politicians through their repeated vilification and demonization of law enforcement.” She warned that comparisons between ICE operations and the Nazi Gestapo, secret police, or slave patrols have real-world consequences.

The DHS also noted that ICE officers frequently arrest violent offenders previously released into communities due to sanctuary policies. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem issued a blunt warning: “You will not stop us or slow us down,” according to DHS. The department emphasized that doxing ICE officers or their families will be prosecuted, stating: “And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer or dox our officers, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”