ICE Official Warns Politicians to Halt Actions Jeopardizing Immigration Agents' Safety

Amid escalating tensions over immigration enforcement, Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons has issued a stark warning to political leaders, pleading for an end to what he describes as rhetoric that jeopardizes the safety of federal agents. In a video message, Lyons specifically called out Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., charging that their public statements fuel public outrage and sow distrust about ICE’s operations. "Stop putting my people in danger," Lyons implored, highlighting the increasing risks his officers face on the job.

The conflict reached a fever pitch after Mayor Wu voiced concerns about ICE activities in Boston, stating that residents are living in fear, worried about federal agents detaining individuals without explanation. Wu described incidents of “secret police, who are wearing masks … who can offer no justification for why certain people are being taken.” Her remarks drew swift rebuke from federal officials, including Leah Foley, U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, who explained that agents are wearing masks not as a means of intimidation, but for self-protection. “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,” Foley said in a recently circulated video.

The debate over the agents’ use of masks intensified when Wu compared the practice to tactics employed by extremist groups, saying, “No police department that I know of at the local level routinely wears masks.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) quickly shot back online, labeling Wu’s comparison as “SICKENING” and underscoring the dangers ICE agents face while carrying out high-risk operations. DHS emphasized that ICE personnel are clearly identified as law enforcement and wear masks to shield themselves from targeted attacks, noting a staggering 413% increase in assaults against officers in recent months.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also weighed in, criticizing ICE agents for what he characterized as “aggressive overreach” and efforts to conceal their identities during enforcement actions. Jeffries vowed that such attempts at anonymity would not shield agents from accountability, declaring, “They will all be identified no matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes.” His comments came amid questions regarding two recent incidents involving Democratic lawmakers and federal authorities—a testament to the growing friction between Congress, local leaders, and federal enforcement agencies.

One such altercation involved Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., who publicly accused ICE agents of shoving her. However, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba later announced charges against McIver herself for allegedly assaulting, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement. In a separate episode, a staffer for Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., was briefly detained by DHS agents during a security check at Nadler’s Manhattan office, after becoming verbally confrontational and physically blocking access. All individuals were ultimately released without further incident, according to federal authorities.

As the rhetoric intensifies and confrontations between local politicians and federal immigration authorities continue, national attention is increasingly focused on the balance between public safety, transparency, and the protection of law enforcement personnel. ICE leadership maintains that inflammatory language from elected officials poses real-world dangers for agents and their families—while critics argue that federal enforcement must remain accountable to the communities it serves. The debate shows little sign of abating as high-profile ICE operations continue to draw scrutiny across the country.