Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., warned Wednesday that political rhetoric targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement is fueling real-world violence against federal agents. He cited a shooting incident involving ICE officers in Maryland earlier in the day.
During his remarks on a recent news segment, Biggs stated that the incident underscores a growing pattern of hostility toward ICE encouraged by elected officials and activists who oppose immigration enforcement. At least two people were hospitalized after ICE agents in Maryland were forced to fire on a van whose driver attempted to run them over during an operation. Law enforcement officials confirmed the agents acted in self-defense.
“It’s not just disturbing. What it is, is criminal,” Biggs said.
Biggs accused left-wing anarchists and Democrats who advocate open borders of dehumanizing ICE and being OK with violence. He claimed some political leaders are creating an environment where attacks on federal officers become normalized.
“You’ve got at least one member of Congress under indictment for attacking ICE people,” he said, referring to Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J. “You have another one from Arizona [Rep. Adelita Grijalva] even misconstruing and misleading people about what happened in an incident in Arizona where violence occurred.”
Biggs emphasized that accountability is essential to stopping the trend. “These leaders who are fomenting this, until they are held accountable by the police power of the executive branch, this is going to keep happening,” he stated.
Biggs also singled out Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, for his public criticism of ICE operations in his city. In recent remarks reported by Minnesota Public Radio, Frey condemned federal immigration actions, stating that ICE agents using their authority could put lives at risk.
“If you can find a nexus, then you need to charge them with aiding and abetting,” Biggs said when asked what should be done about officials who criticize ICE. “Look, you had the mayor of Minneapolis … come out and say that ICE agents who use their government authority to do ICE operations in his city could be killed. That’s a threat.”
Biggs warned that such language, combined with attacks on immigration officers, sends a dangerous message. “This kind of fomenting of violence at some point has got to be held accountable,” he added.
