Police Group Endorses ICE Protection Act
The National Police Association has endorsed the ICE Protection Act of 2026. The endorsement follows reports from the Department of Homeland Security about protestors allegedly using vehicles as weapons against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The specifics of the proposed legislation were not detailed.
The Department of Homeland Security has reported a significant increase in violence against its agents. From January 2025 to January 2026, there were 68 vehicular attacks against ICE officers, a 3,300% increase compared to the two attacks during the same period the previous year. Overall, assaults against ICE personnel reportedly rose by over 1,300% in the first year of the Trump administration. One such incident occurred in Colorado Springs in July 2025, when two individuals allegedly attempted to ram their vehicle into ICE officers during an enforcement operation. In another instance, Border Patrol faced four separate vehicle ramming attacks in a single day while conducting operations in Chicago. The National Police Association has previously supported legislation to expand local law enforcement's role in immigration. The organization endorsed the 287(g) Program Protection Act, which would streamline the process for local police agencies to partner with ICE for enforcement duties. The number of these 287(g) agreements surged in 2025, with over 1,130 signed in that year alone. This endorsement comes amid a contentious political environment surrounding immigration enforcement. Democratic lawmakers in at least four states have introduced bills that would make former ICE employees ineligible for state civil service jobs, including roles in law enforcement and public education. In Congress, Democratic senators have introduced the ICE Accountability Act. This proposed legislation aims to create a new independent watchdog to oversee ICE and Customs and Border Protection, with the power to enforce reforms and report directly to Congress. Some municipalities are also taking local action. In Denver, the mayor issued an executive order stating that city police will intervene to detain any ICE officer observed using what they deem to be excessive force. The order also directs local officers to use body cameras to record ICE operations.
