White House calls on Democrats to tone down rhetoric against ICE and Border Patrol after a Texas agent shooting.

Administration Pushes for Respect Toward Federal Agents

The White House on Monday called for a de-escalation of political rhetoric targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents following a violent attack in McAllen, Texas. The incident, in which a gunman opened fire on Border Patrol agents at an annex facility, left two officers and a Border Patrol employee injured and was swiftly condemned by administration officials.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt specifically urged Democrats in Congress, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., to meet with ICE and CBP agents. “We certainly call on Democrats to tone down their rhetoric against ICE and Border Patrol agents, who, again, are everyday men and women,” Leavitt said. “I would encourage AOC and other Democrats to actually meet with the United States Border Patrol. These are honorable Americans who are just simply trying to do their job to enforce the law.”

Leavitt stressed that ICE and Border Patrol agents, who “go home to their families every night, just like we all do,” deserve respect and dignity for enforcing immigration laws and removing public safety threats from communities. A spokesperson for Rep. Ocasio-Cortez did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Surge in Assaults on Immigration Officers

The Department of Homeland Security recently reported a dramatic increase in assaults against ICE and federal immigration officers, rising nearly 700% compared to 2024. The latest attack in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley came just days after another shooting outside the ICE Prairieland Detention Facility, where a local police officer was shot in the neck.

In Monday’s incident, both Border Patrol agents and local police responded to neutralize the shooter, according to DHS officials. “Two officers and a Border Patrol employee were injured, including one shot in the knee. All three have gone to the hospital. This is an ongoing investigation led by the FBI,” a DHS spokesperson confirmed.

While the White House has called for greater civility in discourse around immigration enforcement, tensions remain high. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., recently accused ICE of acting “like a terrorist force,” defending her remarks in a CNN interview even after the administration demanded an apology. Jayapal described agents operating without identification and making arrests in plain clothes as “outrageous.”

As the investigation continues, administration officials are urging lawmakers and the public to recognize the work and risks undertaken by ICE and CBP agents, emphasizing their vital role in national security and community safety.