Lawmakers push Congress to condemn 'escalation of attacks' on ICE after Dallas shooting

A group of lawmakers is urging Congress to formally condemn violent attacks against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as threats against federal facilities intensify after a Dallas shooting at an ICE field office. The gunman killed one detainee and injured two others before turning the weapon on himself, officials said, in what federal authorities labeled a targeted attack.

The resolution, led by Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.), Republican Study Committee Chair August Pfluger (R-Texas) and House Small Business Committee Chair Roger Williams (R-Texas), argues that violence against ICE has surged and cites a string of incidents since June. The resolution notes a 1,000 percent increase in assaults on ICE officers and points to a bullet casing engraved with "ANTI-ICE" recovered at the Dallas scene. It characterizes the measure as largely symbolic, intended to express solidarity with ICE and its lawful mission.

The sponsors say the attacks reflect an escalation against ICE and federal immigration enforcement operations, including threats to facilities and personnel, and warn that such acts undermine public trust in the rule of law. Fry told Fox News Digital that it is unacceptable for ICE officers to be targeted for upholding the laws of the country and that Congress must send a clear message that violent attacks will not be tolerated. Pfluger, who leads a 189-member GOP caucus, has argued that rhetoric from Democrats has contributed to the environment that spurred violence, while Williams stressed the need to protect those who defend borders and enforce immigration laws.

Democrats have condemned the Dallas shooting and criticized harsh rhetoric around immigration enforcement. House Democratic leaders issued a joint statement saying no one should be violently targeted, including law enforcement and immigrants who are often the victims of dehumanizing rhetoric. In Dallas, authorities said the shooter opened fire on the local ICE field office on Sept. 24, 2025, and investigators recovered multiple rounds at the scene. FBI officials said some rounds bore inscriptions referencing anti-ICE sentiments.

The resolution’s core argument is that the United States must stand with ICE personnel who, they say, face an increasing cadence of threats from individuals motivated by ideology rather than law. The measure, which Fry described as a pledge of solidarity, would not alter policy but would express congressional support for ICE and its officers.

Pfluger blamed what he described as Democratic rhetoric for contributing to the safety challenges ICE officers face. He attributed the Dallas attack and other threats to a political climate he characterized as hostile to immigration enforcement. Williams echoed the call for resilience in law enforcement, saying that individuals who protect the borders and enforce the law deserve strong, bipartisan backing. A separate memo from the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem attributed the rise in threats to what she called "toxic anti-ICE rhetoric from sanctuary politicians and radical activists."

The Dallas incident has touched a broad cross-section of lawmakers, with some cautioning against tying the shooting to rhetoric alone while others argue that public discourse shapes the climate in which violence occurs. FBI agents, working with local and state authorities, continue to examine the incident, including the recovered evidence such as the engraved rounds, to determine the shooter’s motive and potential connections. The case also comes amid heightened concern about political violence in the past year, and officials have urged public officials and communities to avoid sensational or inflammatory language that could escalate tensions.

As Congress weighs the symbolic resolution, supporters say it would reaffirm the country’s commitment to law enforcement at a time of rising threats. Opponents, while condemning violence in Dallas, may view the measure as politically fraught given broader disputes over immigration policy and how it is pursued by the current administration. The House could take up the resolution in the coming weeks, but its passage would primarily serve as a statement of solidarity with ICE officers rather than a policy change.

The Dallas shooting and the ensuing political reactions underscore the tension surrounding immigration enforcement as a partisan issue. While advocates for stricter immigration controls argue that law enforcement faces increasing dangers, opponents caution that rhetoric can fuel hostility toward immigrants and threaten civil discourse. The resolution’s backers say it is designed to support the officers who risk their lives daily to uphold the law, while critics contend it risks turning a tragic incident into a partisan moment.

Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, helped report this story. Readers can follow updates as lawmakers continue to respond to the Dallas incident and the evolving debate over ICE operations and immigration policy.