Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons is pushing back against what he calls the “dangerous hypocrisy” of Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., after she accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of behaving like a “terrorist force.”
Jayapal, in a recent social media post, claimed that ICE agents are “kidnapping and disappearing” people across the country — including U.S. citizens and legal residents — while wearing masks and operating without oversight. She called the agency’s actions “lawless” and said it resembled tactics used by terrorist groups.
During an appearance on CNN’s News Central, Jayapal expanded on her claims, saying, “They are coming and kidnapping and disappearing people on the streets of the United States… I never in a million years thought that is something I would see here in America.”
She continued, “This administration owes an apology to U.S. citizens, to legal permanent residents, to people with legal status who have been here for 20 years and committed no crimes — who are getting swept up by masked men and deported.”
ICE Director Pushes Back
In response, Lyons accused Jayapal of using inflammatory rhetoric while ignoring real threats faced by ICE officers.
He pointed to a 2019 attack on an ICE facility in Tacoma, Washington, where a self-identified Antifa extremist attempted to firebomb the Northwest Processing Center. Lyons noted that Jayapal, instead of condemning the attacker outright, deflected blame onto right-wing rhetoric — despite the suspect’s violent intentions to harm detainees and ICE personnel.
“Now she labels ICE officers — who are enforcing laws passed by Congress — as ‘terrorists,’” Lyons said. “This, at a time when our officers are facing a nearly 700% increase in assaults, is reckless and irresponsible.”
Attacks on ICE Agents Surge
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed to Fox News that assaults on ICE officers and federal immigration agents are up 690% compared to this time last year. Some within ICE say the rise in violence is being fueled by hostile political rhetoric.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, one special agent expressed concern for both personal safety and the security of their family, particularly in light of efforts by some Democratic leaders to “de-mask” officers. “Whatever happens to us, my family — Democratic leadership is directly responsible for it,” the agent said.
Jayapal’s Past Remarks Under Scrutiny
Lyons argued that Jayapal’s track record shows a pattern of undermining law enforcement.
“Never in a million years did I think I’d see a sitting member of Congress defend a violent extremist and then turn around and vilify the officers working to keep her community safe,” he said. “The only apology owed is from the congresswoman — to her constituents.”
Context and Concerns Grow
Jayapal’s comments have sparked renewed debate over immigration enforcement and the treatment of ICE agents amid increased scrutiny and political pressure.
Meanwhile, ICE continues to face threats from activists, with violent protests — including property destruction and clashes with law enforcement — becoming more common during immigration-related demonstrations.
As political tensions rise, Lyons and other ICE officials are calling for greater public support and accountability — not vilification — for officers enforcing federal immigration law.
