San Diego Official Faces Backlash After Labeling ICE Agents as 'Terrorists'

San Diego City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera has sparked intense debate after posting a controversial image on his Instagram account over the weekend. The photo, which features armed ICE agents in tactical gear and the word "Terrorists" scrawled across the top, quickly ignited a firestorm on social media. Accompanied by the protest anthem "Bulls On Parade" from Rage Against The Machine, the post accused federal immigration officers of deploying extreme tactics in city neighborhoods.

"Look at this photo. This isn’t a war zone—it’s a neighborhood in our city," Elo-Rivera wrote, alleging that ICE operations had targeted parents dropping children at school, law-abiding individuals attending court, and everyday workers. He went on to describe the enforcement actions as "state-sponsored terrorism," urging residents to oppose such activities in the name of "freedom—and true safety."

The councilmember’s words did not go unnoticed. Across several Instagram stories, Elo-Rivera intensified his criticism, branding ICE agents as "jackbooted thugs," "cowards," and "criminals." He argued that continued federal raids threatened residents across San Diego, calling for greater public scrutiny and resistance against what he characterized as unjust enforcement.

The controversy escalated further when Elo-Rivera’s posts drew national attention following an amplified share by a prominent Los Angeles correspondent. Rather than backing down, Elo-Rivera doubled down on his characterization of ICE, referencing the lack of a universal definition of terrorism and suggesting that the agency’s actions fit many criteria commonly associated with the word. At one point, he lashed out at Instagram users he deemed to be "fascists" in response to the backlash.

High-profile political figures also waded into the debate. Stephen Miller, a former White House policy advisor, condemned Elo-Rivera’s posts, arguing that such rhetoric encourages violence against law enforcement and undermines national security. The councilmember fired back swiftly, dismissing Miller’s criticism and reaffirming his stance.

The uproar comes amid heightened tensions nationwide surrounding immigration enforcement and so-called sanctuary jurisdictions. Reports have surfaced of activists clashing with ICE during recent arrests and attempts to impede federal actions targeting suspected unlawful immigrants. Patricia Hyde, head of ICE’s Boston field office, recently stated that non-cooperation from local governments is putting officers' lives in danger and hindering immigration law enforcement efforts.

As the online debate rages and both supporters and critics of Elo-Rivera voice their opinions, the incident highlights the deep divisions in American cities over the role of federal immigration authorities and the tactics employed in their missions. The controversy also raises pressing questions about the limits of political speech and the responsibilities of public officials in shaping public perception of law enforcement agencies.