Federal officials have arrested an illegal immigrant from Mexico with a criminal record on charges of targeting Border Patrol agents in a Chicago shooting last weekend.
The Department of Homeland Security did not identify the immigrant, who they say took aim at federal agents conducting an immigration raid in the largely Mexican neighborhood of Little Village in a drive-by shooting on Saturday.
The suspect faces charges of assaulting federal law enforcement officers. He is being detained as a Laken Riley Act violator, which requires authorities to jail illegal immigrants who shoplift, burglarize or attack police officers.
The DHS said the man has prior convictions for felony gun possession, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon/vehicle and illegal entry. The agency did not say when or for how long he’s been in the country following his arrest on Monday.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blamed Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for the shooting due to a statewide “sanctuary” law that prevents police from assisting immigration agents under most circumstances.
“Gov. Pritzker is protecting violent criminal illegal aliens who want American law enforcement officers dead,” Ms. Noem posted Monday on X. “This is a battle between law and order, good and evil — and we will prevail.”
The DHS said the suspect drove his black Jeep near agents, opened fire on them and then sped away.
Officials said a group of “agitators” threw a paint can and bricks at Border Patrol vehicles following the shooting.
Chicago police said no one was hit by the gunfire.
“This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of violence and obstruction,” the DHS said in announcing the arrest. “Over the past two months, we’ve seen an increase in assaults and obstruction targeting federal law enforcement during operations. These confrontations highlight the dangers our agents face daily and the escalating aggression toward law enforcement.”
The agency has said threats against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel spiked 8,000% since President Trump began his push for deportations this year.
The DHS also said assaults against ICE staff have increased by 1,000%, but did not provide data to support their claim.
But immigration authorities were targeted in at least two attacks last month as part of Operation Midway Blitz.
Federal prosecutors accused Marimar Martinez of ramming into and boxing in U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicles.
CBP agents responded by shooting Ms. Martinez, court documents said. She survived the Oct. 4 incident and pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting, impeding or interfering with a federal officer.
On Oct. 14, two illegal immigrants from Venezuela were charged with ramming into a Border Patrol vehicle.
Police arrested Yonder Enrique Tenefe-Perez and Luis Gerardo Pirela-Ramirez following a frenetic chase.
Prosecutors charged Mr. Pirela-Ramirez with assault on a federal agent, and Mr. Tenefe-Perez with accessory to assault.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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