The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Saturday the apprehension of an individual by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for allegedly issuing online death threats targeting officers of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The arrested man, identified as Joseph Giancola, was taken into custody by special agents in Fort Myers, Florida. Authorities allege that Giancola used the online alias “Cain Delon” on the social media platform Bluesky. In their statement, the DHS highlighted a staggering 8,000% increase in death threats against ICE personnel amidst President Donald Trump’s intensified measures against illegal immigration.
Giancola is accused of posting messages such as, “Shoot the ICE Nazis down like the rabid dogs they are,” and “Just get a gun and shoot the ICE Nazis down,” among other violent remarks, according to DHS reports. These threats are part of a broader trend, with ICE agents also experiencing over a 1,000% surge in physical assaults.
Joseph Giancola now faces charges for the alleged threats directed at ICE agents. (DHS)
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin condemned the actions, stating, “This cowardly individual repeatedly issued abhorrent death threats against ICE law enforcement officers. He is now in federal custody and will face prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.” She further noted, “Our officers are contending with unprecedented levels of violence and threats, ranging from bounties on their lives to threats against their families, stalking, and online doxxing. Anyone who threatens violence or death against our law enforcement will find themselves behind bars, just like this individual.”
“This cowardly individual made repeated disgusting death threats against ICE law enforcement officers. He is now in federal custody and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “From bounties placed on their heads for their murders, threats to their families, stalking, and doxxing online, our officers are experiencing an unprecedented level of violence and threats against them and their families. Threaten violence or death to our law enforcement? You’ll end up behind bars like this guy.”
DHS said in the statement that it is “committed to safeguarding its personnel and ensuring that individuals who make threats of violence are held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The department blamed politicians’ and the media’s rhetoric for the increased threats against and assaults on its officers. DHS said it warned politicians and the media to “tone down their rhetoric” about ICE and other law enforcement officers.
Protesters in Orlando, Fla., on Dec. 4, 2023, hold a protest with signs against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). (Ronaldo Silva/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Comparing ICE day-in and day-out to the Nazi Gestapo, the Secret Police, and slave patrols has consequences,” DHS said in a statement. “Like everyone else, America’s ICE and CBP agents are hardworking men and women who have families and are real people. The violence and dehumanization of these men and women who are simply enforcing the law must stop.”
On Thursday, DHS sounded the alarm over the increased threats to ICE agents and provided several examples of individuals threatening officers.
Eduardo Aguilar, a Mexican national living in the U.S. illegally in Dallas, Texas, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly soliciting the murder of ICE agents in a TikTok post.
Anti-ICE protesters march in Chicago. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)
The post, written in Spanish, allegedly offered $10,000 for the murder of an ICE agent and called for “10 dudes in Dallas with determination who aren’t afraid to [two skull emojis],” DHS said.
In another incident in Texas, an ICE officer’s spouse was threatened over the phone. The caller, who has not been identified, repeatedly cursed at the ICE officer’s spouse before saying, “Did you hear what happened to the Nazis after World War II? Because it’s what’s going to happen to your family.”
