Giving thanks: Republican lawmakers express gratitude for ICE workers in DHS video
As Thanksgiving approaches, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has taken a moment to express gratitude for the men and women of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through a social media video featuring Republican lawmakers. This initiative highlights the support from various congressional figures, including Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa and Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee, who emphasized the importance of ICE’s role in deporting individuals they label as “illegal invaders.” The video serves not only as a Thanksgiving tribute but also as a reinforcement of the ongoing immigration policies that have been a focal point during the Trump administration, which has prioritized a crackdown on illegal immigration.
The DHS’s post on social media underscores the agency’s commitment to maintaining community safety, stating, “This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful to the dedicated men and women of @ICEgov who are working through the holiday to keep our communities safe.” This statement comes amidst rising tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, particularly as the agency reports a staggering 1,153% increase in assaults against ICE personnel from the previous year. The data indicates that from January to November 2024, reported assaults against ICE law enforcement rose from 19 to 238, highlighting the escalating risks faced by agents in the field. This surge in violence has been attributed, in part, to the rhetoric surrounding sanctuary policies, which some lawmakers argue has incited hostility toward ICE officials.
The video and accompanying statements from DHS reflect a broader narrative in the ongoing national debate over immigration and law enforcement. As Republicans rally behind ICE, framing the agency’s work as essential to public safety, they also confront a polarized landscape where immigration enforcement is met with significant opposition from various advocacy groups and politicians who argue for more humane policies. This Thanksgiving message, therefore, serves as a reminder of the contentious atmosphere surrounding immigration issues in the United States, illustrating the stark divide in perspectives on the role and function of ICE in society today.
As Americans around the nation prepare to celebrate the
Thanksgiving
holiday, the Department of Homeland Security posted a video on social media that features a montage of Republican lawmakers expressing their gratitude for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement workers.
Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa noted that with Thanksgiving approaching, she wanted to provide her “heartfelt thanks to the great men and women of ICE.”
“This Thanksgiving, I thank you for your service, and for deporting the illegal invaders who’ve flooded our communities,” Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee said.
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The DHS
post
on X that features the video reads, “This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful to the dedicated men and women of @ICEgov who are working through the holiday to keep our communities safe. From the halls of Congress, thank you for your continued service and commitment.”
The video, which also includes House Speaker Mike Johnson and various other Republicans, comes as President Donald Trump’s administration has been conducting an
illegal immigration crackdown
around the country.
WAR ON BADGES: HOUSE GOP TARGETS ANTI-POLICE RHETORIC AMID ICE ATTACKS
The
Department of Homeland Security
has noted a spike in reported assaults against ICE this year compared to last year.
SANCTUARY POLITICIANS’ RHETORIC LED TO 1,150% SURGE IN VIOLENCE AGAINST ICE AGENTS: DHS
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“From January 21, 2024, through November 21, 2024, there were only 19 reported assaults against ICE law enforcement, while in the same timeframe in 2025 there were 238 reported assaults. This is a 1,153% increase in assaults,” a
DHS release
noted.
