ICE Arrests Mexican National After He Crashes Into Government Vehicles, Injures Officer

The twice-deported man, with a prior conviction for driving under the influence, was trying to evade a traffic stop at the time of the crash.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stand near a gate at a detention center in Newark, N.J., on May 7, 2025. Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested a Mexican national and illegal immigrant after he allegedly crashed into two government vehicles while attempting to flee from a traffic stop in his vehicle. A federal officer was injured in the crash, according to authorities.

The crash happened on Aug. 11, during a joint operation between ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies in San Diego, when they attempted a traffic stop. The twice-deported man, with a prior conviction for driving under the influence, tried to evade the stop and collided with vehicles, causing the injury.

The suspect was apprehended by law enforcement and arrested on suspicion of assault on an ICE officer. His name has not been released, nor has any information regarding potential charges.

According to ICE, the man was smuggled twice into the country in October 2020 while hiding in the trunk of a vehicle at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

“This operation demonstrates the commitment of ERO officers to enforcing federal immigration laws and protecting public safety,” Patrick Divver, director of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations field office in San Diego, said in a statement on Aug. 14.

“Despite the challenges encountered, our officers remain dedicated to carrying out their duties with professionalism.”

Shawn Gibson, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in San Diego, added that the arrest highlights federal law enforcement’s dedication to the safety of law enforcement personnel.

“We will not tolerate violence against law enforcement, and we are resolute in our pursuit of justice,” Gibson said.

In the statement announcing the arrest, ICE said there has been a major increase—more than 1,000 percent—in assaults on ICE officers nationwide compared with this time last year.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has attributed the surge in attacks on federal law enforcement to increased political rhetoric and misinformation from the media.

“Brave ICE law enforcement are risking their lives every day to keep our communities safe from the worst of the worst criminals,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.

“ICE law enforcement are succeeding in removing terrorists, murderers, pedophiles, and the most depraved among us from America’s communities, even as crazed rhetoric from gutter politicians is inspiring a massive increase in assaults against them. It is reprehensible that our officers are facing this threat while simply doing their jobs and enforcing the law.”

During a July 10 operation at marijuana grow sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo, federal agents were shot at and assaulted during a confrontation with more than 500 protesters.

The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension of the agitator who fired a gun at law enforcement officials.

Four U.S. citizens were arrested in the melee for assaulting or resisting officers during the riot. A California State University Channel Islands math teacher was arrested for allegedly throwing a tear gas canister at law enforcement.

DHS also alleges that Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) shared an ICE employee’s business card with a violent mob during the marijuana farm operation, resulting in an attack that sent the employee to the hospital, where the victim received stitches for cuts.

Carbajal accused federal officers of “using a disturbing and disproportionate level of force” on farm workers and protesters.

DHS has also detailed other incidents of doxing. In one instance, an ICE officer’s personal information was shared online by antifa-affiliated organizations, resulting in threats, harassment, and defacement of the officer’s lawn.