The Trump administration is stepping up enforcement against individuals accused of attacking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, signaling a zero-tolerance approach to the growing trend of violence targeting federal immigration officers. Recent arrests across multiple states highlight the government’s intensified efforts to protect agents as they carry out immigration duties.
Gregory K. Bovino, Commander of Operation at Large California and Chief of the El Centro Border Patrol Sector, announced the arrest of a U.S. citizen in Los Angeles. The suspect, who was reportedly wearing an anti-ICE t-shirt, allegedly spit on federal agents during a deportation operation. A video shared by Bovino on X (formerly Twitter) shows the elite BORTAC special operations team executing a swift arrest at a business location. In his post, Bovino emphasized the seriousness of such acts, writing, “California may coddle criminals, but we don’t. If you assault a federal agent, you earn federal consequences. Remember: When talking to federal law enforcement officers, say it—don’t spray it.”
This was not an isolated incident. In Oregon, federal prosecutors charged 24-year-old Robert Jacob Hoopes with multiple felonies after a violent protest at the ICE facility in South Portland. According to court records, Hoopes was seen throwing large rocks at the building on June 14, 2025, one of which struck an ICE officer in the head, causing a serious laceration. He was later identified in online photos and charged with aggravated assault of a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and causing over $1,000 in damage to federal property. Authorities also reported that Hoopes and two other individuals used an overturned stop sign as a battering ram to smash the ICE building’s front door.
Since June 13, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oregon has charged 23 people in connection to crimes at the ICE facility, including assault, arson, and possession of explosive devices. The rapid pace of these prosecutions reflects federal law enforcement’s commitment to restoring order and holding offenders accountable.
In another high-profile case in California, two medical clinic employees—Jose de Jesus Ortega, 38, of Highland, and Danielle Nadine Davila of Corona—were arrested on July 25. Both face charges of assaulting a federal officer and conspiring to obstruct a federal agent through force and intimidation. The incident allegedly occurred during the execution of immigration-related duties by federal officers at their workplace.
According to data released by the Department of Homeland Security, the number of assaults on ICE officers has risen dramatically—by 830 percent—between January 21 and July 14, 2025, compared to the same timeframe in 2024. Officials suggest this surge in violence has been fueled by escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and politically charged rhetoric.
Federal agencies are making it clear that violence against law enforcement officers—particularly those working in immigration—will be met with decisive legal action. The recent wave of arrests and charges marks a significant shift in how aggressively the government is responding to such incidents, as they aim to protect agents and uphold the rule of law amid increasing hostility.