Illinois Democratic Representative Delia Ramirez has publicly labeled the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency a "terrorist organization," calling for its defunding and abolition. Ramirez, a first-generation American who has stated she is "proud to be Guatemalan before American," made these remarks during a speech last Friday, which has sparked widespread criticism from Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators. Ramirez also disclosed that half of her family is in the United States illegally. The rhetoric against ICE has coincided with a reported nearly 800% increase in assaults against ICE officers. Recently, a suspicious white powder was found at the Federal Plaza ICE detention facility in New York City, prompting a large emergency response. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has relocated to Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling following escalating threats and doxxing incidents, which some attribute to the heightened tensions surrounding ICE. The controversy highlights ongoing partisan divisions over immigration enforcement and the safety of federal agents.