ICE Official Demands Politicians Halt Actions Threatening Immigration Agents and Communities

Amid a surge in political rhetoric and public scrutiny, Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons issued a pointed plea to national leaders, urging them to "stop putting my people in danger." In a newly released video, Lyons directly addressed statements from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., accusing them of exacerbating anti-ICE sentiment and inflaming tensions with what he described as "ridiculous rhetoric and inflammatory comments."

Lyons' comments follow recent remarks by Mayor Wu, who characterized ICE operations as secretive and alarming to local residents. Wu voiced concerns about “people being terrified for their lives” due to incidents she likened to “secret police… wearing masks” and detaining individuals without clear justification. These remarks have drawn a sharp rebuke not only from ICE officials but also from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which called comparisons between ICE agents and extremist groups "SICKENING" in a social media post.

The issue of federal agents donning masks during operations has become a flashpoint. U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, Leah Foley, explained in a public statement that agents have resorted to facial coverings “because people like Mayor Wu have created false narratives about their mission.” Foley emphasized that threats, doxxing, and assaults aimed at officers and their families have necessitated extra precautions, stating, "they must hide their faces."

Mayor Wu, however, remains skeptical, noting that “no police department that I know of at the local level routinely wears masks,” and referenced the neo-Nazi group NSC-131’s similar approach to anonymity. When asked directly if she was likening ICE to extremist groups, Wu clarified her observations related to standard practices among law enforcement, but the comments continue to fuel controversy.

DHS further defended its agents, declaring that those involved in recent enforcement actions “clearly identify themselves as law enforcement while wearing masks to protect themselves from being targeted by known and suspected gang members, murderers, and rapists.” The department underscored a significant rise in targeted assaults against ICE officers—a reported 413% increase—and condemned ongoing efforts to demonize federal law enforcement.

Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries weighed in, promising that any ICE agent found to be engaging in “aggressive overreach” or attempting to shield their identity from public accountability would ultimately be identified. Jeffries insisted that transparency is mandated by law and vowed to pursue identification “no matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes.”

Controversy escalated further after Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., accused ICE agents of physical aggression on social media, claiming they “shoved” her. The situation quickly reversed when the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, announced charges against McIver herself for allegedly assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during the same incident.

Additional friction arose after Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., stated DHS agents “forcefully entered” his office and detained one of his staffers during a security check relating to protest activity. DHS officials clarified that officers had received permission to enter, announced their identities, and detained an individual only after encountering verbal and physical resistance. All parties were released without further incident, according to DHS.

The growing tension comes against the backdrop of heightened enforcement activity, including what authorities have described as the largest-ever ICE operation resulting in nearly 1,500 arrests in a blue state, as well as recent roundups targeting child predators, gang members, and human traffickers in major cities. Despite outreach to both Wu and Jeffries, neither had responded publicly to the latest statements from ICE and DHS at the time of reporting.

This series of exchanges highlights ongoing friction between federal immigration authorities and local officials in cities with sanctuary policies. With a sharp rise in threats to federal agents and continued public protest over immigration enforcement, the debate over transparency, safety, and the tone of political discourse shows little sign of abating.