Federal authorities have charged ten individuals linked to Antifa for their alleged roles in a planned armed assault on law enforcement officers at the Prairieland ICE detention facility in Alvarado, Texas.
The attack took place on the night of July 4, involving militants dressed in black and wearing military-style clothing. According to a criminal complaint, the suspects fired on officers, launched fireworks at the facility, and vandalized property with phrases such as “ICE Pig” and “F— you pig,” reports The Post Millennial.
The armed individuals carried out the attack, which resulted in a local police officer being shot. The officer is expected to recover, officials said.
“This escalation in violence is incomprehensible, and those responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” said acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “This is precisely what we have been warning against, as disinformation and dangerous politically-motivated rhetoric spreads. We are thankful to Alvarado Police Department responding officers and that the officer injured has been discharged from the hospital. We will continue to work with the FBI and Texas Rangers as they investigate and prosecute those involved.”
The suspects are facing local charges including terrorism, aggravated assault on a public servant with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer, according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Ten suspects have been arrested. One remains at large.
ICE has reported a 700% spike in assaults against its personnel, attributing much of the violence to organized left-wing activist groups. Just two days before the Alvarado attack, agents in Linda Vista, California, were targeted when a man rammed an ICE vehicle and three others assaulted officers on the scene.
“This is precisely what we have been warning against,” Lyons reiterated, citing politically motivated misinformation as a contributing factor.
“I am relieved to hear that the officer who was shot is expected to recover from the injuries sustained,” added Josh Johnson, acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Dallas.
“Fortunately, no employees at our facilities were harmed during the shooting incident on July 4.”
The attack also came shortly before another incident in McAllen, Texas, where an armed activist allegedly shot a U.S. Border Patrol officer.
The Department of Homeland Security has stated it will pursue criminal charges against anyone who obstructs ICE operations or assaults federal officers.
