Recently, the situation has become increasingly perilous for ICE and Border Patrol agents. Last week in Alvarado, Texas, an ICE agent was injured in a shooting, with ten people now facing charges of attempted murder after planning an ambush. In another incident on Monday, border patrol agents were targeted by an active shooter dressed in tactical gear in McAllen, Texas. Fortunately, both local police and federal agents engaged in return fire, resulting in the shooter’s death.

Such incidents appear to be forming a troubling trend. ICE agents have faced criticism from Democrats for using masks to conceal their identities. At the end of June, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) accused ICE agents of “concealing misconduct” by wearing face coverings. However, the White House Rapid Response team highlighted that assaults on ICE agents have surged by 500%.

@RepJerryNadler has criticized the dedicated members of ICE—who risk their safety to deport dangerous individuals from our communities—claiming they are “concealing misconduct” by hiding their faces.

ICE agents are now facing a 500% increase in assaults thanks to rhetoric like this.