ICE Official Urges Politicians to Stop Endangering Immigration Agents Amid Rising Threats

Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons has issued a pointed warning to political leaders, urging them to "stop putting my people in danger" as tensions rise over federal immigration enforcement operations.

Lyons, speaking in a widely shared video, directly challenged Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., accusing them of risking the safety of federal officers with what he described as "outrage," "ridiculous rhetoric," and "inflammatory comments." According to Lyons, these public statements are not only fueling misinformation but are also endangering the lives of agents tasked with carrying out immigration enforcement duties.

The escalation follows remarks from Mayor Wu, who recently expressed deep concern and alarm, saying, "People are terrified for their lives, and for their neighbors, folks getting snatched off the street by secret police, who are wearing masks … who can offer no justification for why certain people are being taken and then … detained." Wu's comparison between masked ICE agents and secret police has sparked both local and national debate, with critics calling the analogy inflammatory.

Adding to the controversy, U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah Foley offered an explanation for ICE agents' use of facial coverings, stating that officers are choosing to mask up due to threats against themselves and their families. "Federal agents in marked jackets and vests are masking their faces because people like Mayor Wu have created false narratives about their mission. Federal agents and their children are being threatened, doxxed and assaulted — that is why they must hide their faces," said Foley in a recent online statement.

Mayor Wu, for her part, questioned the frequent use of masks by federal agents, contrasting it with local law enforcement practices, and referenced the controversial far-right group NSC-131, known for wearing masks. While Wu did not explicitly equate ICE with neo-Nazi groups, her comments nonetheless drew a sharp rebuke from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In a public post, DHS described Wu's comparison as "SICKENING" and defended ICE agents as "heroic law enforcement officers" who identify themselves and wear masks solely for self-protection in dangerous situations, noting a 413% increase in assaults on ICE officers.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries entered the fray by vowing transparency, stating that any ICE agent engaged in what he termed "aggressive overreach" and attempts to hide their identity would ultimately be identified, emphasizing that such disclosure is required by law. His stance came in response to incidents involving Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., who claimed on social media last month that she was "shoved" by ICE personnel. However, the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey later announced charges against McIver for allegedly assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement under federal statute.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., reported that DHS agents "forcefully entered" his district office and handcuffed a staff member during a response to reports of protesters inside the Manhattan location. DHS stated that its Federal Protective Service officers acted lawfully, were granted entry, identified themselves, and only temporarily detained an individual who physically blocked access to the office. All individuals were released after the security check concluded without further incident.

As the national spotlight intensifies on the actions and visibility of federal immigration agents, ICE leadership continues to warn that public discourse and political rhetoric can have real-world consequences for officer safety. The growing friction between elected officials and federal agencies underscores the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement, with both sides calling for accountability and safety in a politically fraught climate.