Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) defended her recent description of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as “a terrorist force,” despite White House officials condemning her remarks as “dangerous” and calling for an apology.
In an interview on CNN’s News Central with Brianna Keilar, Jayapal reiterated her concerns over ICE’s enforcement tactics, citing reports of masked agents apprehending individuals across the country without visible identification or accountability.
Jayapal said, “I never in a million years thought I would see this happen here in America,” referring to what she described as the “kidnapping and disappearing” of migrants and legal residents.
She challenged the administration to apologize “to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and others with legal status who have been swept up in these raids,” including people living in the country for decades without criminal records.
White House Condemns Jayapal’s Comments, Highlights Surge in Attacks on ICE Agents
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson responded sharply, calling Jayapal’s remarks “disgusting” and demanding an immediate apology.
“Heroic ICE officers are simply doing their jobs enforcing federal immigration laws with professionalism,” Jackson said. She added that “dangerous smears” like Jayapal’s have contributed to a 500% increase in assaults against ICE agents this year, warning that violence could escalate if such rhetoric continues.
ICE Leadership and Border Officials Echo Concerns Over Safety of Agents
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons criticized Jayapal’s comments in a statement to Fox News Digital, referencing a 2019 attempted bombing at ICE’s Northwest Processing Center in Washington state, which Jayapal’s office had previously attributed to right-wing rhetoric.
Lyons said, “Labeling ICE officers as ‘terrorists’ amid a nearly 700% increase in assaults endangers those officers and the communities they protect.” He added that Jayapal owes an apology to her constituents for prioritizing violent criminals over law enforcement.
Border security official Tom Homan also highlighted the rise in attacks during an appearance on The Will Cain Show, warning that apps tracking ICE operations put agents at greater risk of ambushes and violent assaults.
Jayapal Calls ICE Actions ‘Outrageous’ and ‘Unconstitutional’
Jayapal described ICE’s immigration enforcement as terrorizing communities, including small businesses and farmers who fear the impact of raids on their livelihoods.
She recounted conversations with local farmers and restaurant owners in Spokane who say business is suffering because people are afraid to go out.
“It’s outrageous, unconstitutional, and illegal,” Jayapal said. “The White House owes an apology to the American people for what they are doing.”
The debate reflects growing tensions over immigration enforcement and rhetoric from both sides, with heightened concerns over safety for ICE personnel and communities affected by immigration policies.
