House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) sparked controversy Thursday after pledging to publicly identify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents involved in deportation operations, even as agents continue to face an increase in violent threats and doxing.

Speaking at a press conference in Washington, Jeffries criticized what he described as federal immigration “overreach” and warned that ICE agents who conceal their identities while conducting raids would be exposed.

“Every single ICE agent who’s engaged in this aggressive overreach and are trying to hide their identities from the American people will be unsuccessful in doing that,” Jeffries said.

“Every single one of them, no matter what it takes, no matter how long it takes, will of course be identified. That in fact is the law.”

Jeffries went further, comparing masked ICE officers to secret police from authoritarian regimes.

“This is not the 1930’s,” he said.

“We’re going to make sure that the American people have the transparency necessary to hold people accountable.”

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Jeffries’ remarks come amid rising tensions between federal immigration authorities and political activists in several major cities, including Philadelphia and New York.

Just one day prior to Jeffries’ comments, an unidentified man was recorded threatening ICE agents conducting operations in Philadelphia.

“You know what, when people start fighting back, then what y’all gonna do? Y’all gonna shoot every American?” the man shouted.

“Doing Trump’s work, every single one of y’all put a bullet in your head. Yeah, I said it, what?”

Threatening to put a bullet in the heads of our ICE agents doing their job is inexcusable.

Attacks and demonization of our brave law enforcement is WRONG.

It is because of threats like this our ICE officers are facing a 413% increase in assaults while carrying out arrests. pic.twitter.com/ypqRAwFYHB

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 2, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security has not released the identity of the individual involved in the Philadelphia incident, but officials confirmed that a threat assessment is underway.

White House border czar Tom Homan addressed the rising hostility faced by ICE officers last week, defending their use of facial coverings and protective gear.

“Yeah, the assaults on ICE officers are high. The doxing of ICE officers are at an all-time high,” Homan said.

“And people always complain, some of you here, say why are they wearing masks? Because they’re trying to protect themselves and their families.”

“They’ve got a dangerous job to do, and they’re being doxed every day across this country,” he added.

“I’ve experienced myself a hundred times.”

NOW — Border Czar Tom Homan: “The doxxing of ICE officers is at an all-time high. You say why do they wear a mask? They’re trying to protect themselves and their families! … They’re being doxxed! Assaults are up, and it won’t be tolerated!” @Sgtnewsnetwork pic.twitter.com/4UwG9taafK

— Toria Brooke (@realtoriabrooke) May 29, 2025

Homan has repeatedly emphasized that ICE agents are engaged in court-ordered enforcement actions and are entitled to basic safety measures while executing their duties.

In his Thursday remarks, Jeffries referenced the recent arrest of Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) as an example of what he considers to be excessive law enforcement tactics.

McIver was caught on video last month physically confronting ICE agents during a protest outside an immigration facility.

She and several colleagues entered a federal property without authorization and attempted to halt deportation proceedings.

McIver was later arrested and charged with obstruction.

Jeffries criticized that arrest and used the moment to call for broader reforms.

“And we’ve got to address those issues first. That’s the human thing to do,” he said.

“While simultaneously, of course, preparing to deal with the broader policy implications, which as I mentioned, are underway.”

Jeffries’ public commitment to identifying federal immigration officers comes as ICE and DHS officials continue to report increased threats to personnel, particularly in high-profile sanctuary cities where deportation resistance is organized and aggressive.

Federal agencies have not responded directly to Jeffries’ statements, but sources within DHS say internal security protocols may be reassessed in light of public calls to expose officer identities amid active enforcement operations.