ICE officer injured arresting twice-deported Salvadoran on sex charges
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A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer was seriously injured while arresting a Salvadoran citizen for violent crimes in Houston on Monday, according to authorities.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said twice-deported Leonel Perez Rodriguez hit the officer in the face with a metal coffee cup.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARMED WITH KNIFE AND CRACKED PIPE ARRESTED ON ICE IN HOUSTON PARKING PARK
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement that during the arrest of 33-year-old Walter Leonel Perez Rodriguez from El Salvador, an ICE officer was hit in the face with a metal coffee cup. (Department of Homeland Security)
The IYM officer allegedly suffered injuries, including serious burns and deep cuts to his face that required 13 stitches.
The incident occurred as ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers attempted to detain Rodriguez, 33, after his most recent re-entry into the United States.
Rodriguez has since been referred to federal investigation for illegal entry and assault on a federal officer, authorities said.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer was allegedly injured by Walter Leonel Perez Rodriguez. (Department of Homeland Security)
Rodriguez’s criminal record includes convictions for sexual assault of a child under 17, multiple DUIs and repeated illegal entry into the United States, according to the release.
He was deported in 2013 and again in 2020 after being sentenced to prison for his crimes.
“This young officer’s life was forever changed as a result of the hyper-politicization of routine law enforcement activities and the dissemination of misinformation by the media, NGOs, and other groups opposing immigration enforcement,” said Bret Bradford, Director of ICE’s Houston Field Office.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARMED WITH KNIFE AND CRACKED PIPE ARRESTED ON ICE IN HOUSTON PARKING PARK
ICE continues its operations across the country during what DHS officials call “the longest government shutdown in American history.” (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“By focusing on our officers and spreading false propaganda about how we will accomplish our mission, they encourage dangerous illegal aliens like this child predator to physically resist arrest. This madness needs to stop before anyone else gets hurt.”
The attack comes as ICE continues operations across the country during what DHS officials have called “the longest government shutdown in American history.”
Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin praised ICE staff Thursday for continuing their operations under challenging conditions.
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“The shutdown did not stop ICE from protecting American communities,” he said in a statement.
“Seventy percent of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens accused or convicted of crimes in the United States. Our officers are committed to keeping the nation safe regardless of political obstacles.”
