The Department of Homeland Security has launched an investigation into a U.S. citizen who allegedly attempted to purchase a firearm with the stated intent to kill Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, the agency said Tuesday.
DHS said the female suspect tried twice to buy a gun in Kenmore, New York, telling a firearms dealer she wanted to "buy a gun to protect herself from ICE agents and also to kill ICE agents."
The investigation is being conducted by ICE Homeland Security Investigations in coordination with the New York State Police.
DHS officials said the case reflects a dangerous escalation in violence fueled by radical rhetoric targeting federal immigration enforcement.
According to DHS, assaults against ICE officers have surged by 1,300%, while vehicular attacks against agents have skyrocketed by 3,200%.
"Every day, there are more assaults, more vehicle-ramming attacks, more attempts to kill our officers," said DHS assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin.
"Now, we have an American citizen purchasing a gun with the intent to kill our officers," McLaughlin added.
McLaughlin blamed inflammatory political language for helping create an environment where threats against law enforcement are increasingly normalized.
"Comparing ICE day-in and day-out to the Nazi Gestapo, the secret police, and slave patrols has consequences," she said.
McLaughlin emphasized that ICE and Customs and Border Protection officers are ordinary Americans carrying out the law, not political actors.
"The men and women of ICE and CBP are fathers and mothers, sons and daughters," she said.
"They get up every morning to try and make our communities safer," McLaughlin continued.
"Like everyone else, they just want to go home to their families at night," she said.
DHS officials said agents are increasingly being targeted not for misconduct, but simply for enforcing federal immigration law as directed by Congress.
"The violence and dehumanization of these men and women who are simply enforcing the law must stop," said McLaughlin.
Authorities have not disclosed whether charges have been filed, but DHS stressed the investigation remains active and serious.
The department also warned that threats, harassment, and doxing campaigns against ICE officers and their families are being closely monitored.
DHS urged members of the public to report threats or harassment directed at ICE personnel.
Tips can be submitted by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or through ICE's online tip form.
As assaults against federal officers continue to rise, DHS officials said protecting law enforcement has become a critical priority.
The department says it will continue working with state and local partners to investigate threats and hold offenders accountable.
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