The Department of Homeland Security told Fox News that assaults against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and federal agents conducting immigration enforcement are up nearly 700% compared to the same time last year.

DHS recorded 10 assault events from Jan. 21, 2024, to June 30, 2024. From the day after President Donald Trump took office earlier this year until Monday, the department recorded 79 assault events, representing a 690% increase year over year.

DHS said the true number is likely higher as they are moving at such a fast pace that some assault reports may not be accounted for yet.

Last month, DHS identified the “serial criminal” who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport where 15 ICE agents and 12 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers were staying.

Eric Anthony Rodriguez was arrested in connection to the June 21 attack, which “was unsuccessful, and no one was injured,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said last week.

Describing Rodriguez as a “coward,” McLaughlin said, “Dangerous rhetoric by sanctuary politicians has fanned the flames of violence against federal law enforcement.”

DHS said Rodriguez has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, second-degree robbery, falsifying checks, theft and vandalism. He also had an outstanding felony warrant for violating parole.

In another case, a suspected Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang member was charged with the attempted murder of a federal officer last month.

According to a criminal complaint, Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, a 30-year-old Venezuelan national living illegally in Bellevue, Nebraska, began to fight with a special agent on the ground after being pulled over during a traffic stop. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and FBI special agents possessed an active immigration-related warrant for Hurtado-Cariaco’s arrest at the time.

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