Fact Check: ICE officers have faced a 500% increase in assaults.

Fact Check: "ICE officers have faced a 500% increase in assaults."

What We Know

Recent statements from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have indicated a significant rise in assaults against ICE officers. In June 2025, DHS reported that assaults against ICE officers had increased by 500% compared to the previous year (source-1). This statistic was part of a broader narrative concerning the safety of law enforcement personnel involved in immigration enforcement operations.

The increase in assaults was highlighted by ICE acting Director Todd M. Lyons, who reiterated the 500% figure in a recent statement (source-2). Additionally, reports from various media outlets confirmed that the number of assaults rose from 10 incidents in the same timeframe the previous year to 79 incidents between January 21 and June 30, 2025 (source-4).

Analysis

The claim of a 500% increase in assaults against ICE officers is based on official statistics released by DHS. While the percentage increase is stark, it is essential to consider the context of these numbers. The increase from 10 to 79 assaults represents a real rise in incidents, but the absolute number of assaults remains relatively low, averaging about one assault every other day (source-4).

Critics of the DHS's use of percentage increases argue that such figures can be misleading without context. For example, a 500% increase could imply a shift from a very low baseline, which may not indicate a widespread crisis (source-4). The reliability of the sources reporting this information, including DHS and ICE, is generally high, as they are official government agencies. However, media interpretations may vary, and some outlets have critiqued the narrative surrounding these statistics as potentially alarmist (source-4).

Conclusion

The claim that ICE officers have faced a 500% increase in assaults is True based on the statistics provided by DHS. However, while the percentage is accurate, it is crucial to interpret it in the context of the actual number of assaults, which, while concerning, does not indicate a widespread epidemic of violence against ICE officers. The increase reflects a notable rise in incidents, but the absolute figures suggest that the situation may not be as dire as the percentage increase implies.