‘Exploded All Over’: Border Patrol Agent Testifies After Viral Subway Sandwich Attack
'could smell the onions and mustard'
Deportations top 2 million under Trump — and most aren't by force
Deportations and border security have been a crucial part of the second Trump administration, and nine months in, the government has started to release some results. Despite seemingly constant obstruction from Democrats, the administration has begun to deliver on its promises of mass deportations.
"The president is all about results, ... and what President Trump, Secretary Noem, and our law enforcement have been able to do in the past 270 days, despite the injunctions, despite the obstruction from sanctuary city politicians and these activist judges, is really nothing short of extraordinary," Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a Fox News interview on Monday.
'While ICE actions targeting criminal illegal aliens have captured most of the attention, the phenomenon of large-scale self-deportation is probably even more significant.'
She went on to report that over 2 million illegal aliens have left the country since the beginning of Trump's term, citing an October 27 press release.
McLaughlin claimed in the press release that the majority of the deportations have been voluntary: "More than 2 million illegal aliens have left the U.S. including 1.6 million who have voluntarily self-deported and over 527,000 deportations."
According to a March 2025 study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform, there are an estimated 18.6 million illegal aliens in the United States.
"While ICE actions targeting criminal illegal aliens have captured most of the attention, the phenomenon of large-scale self-deportation is probably even more significant," Ira Mehlman, media director at the Federation for American Immigration Reform, told Blaze News.
Mehlman emphasized that illegal aliens are "rational" actors. If the perceived benefits of coming to the United States are unavailable to them because of their illegal status, they will likely leave voluntarily or not immigrate at all.
"If we ... make it difficult to enter, difficult to find employment or access benefits and services, and that there is a reasonable chance that you might be apprehended and removed, illegal aliens will make similarly rational decisions: Many fewer come here illegally, and many of those who are here decide that they should leave on their own," Melhman told Blaze News.
The government is also offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport, according to the press release.
Deterrence and shifting incentive structures for illegal immigrants have been key to turning the tide on the Biden border crisis, but more work needs to be done, as DHS admits.
"This is just the beginning. ... DHS, ICE, and CBP have not just closed the border, but made historic strides to carry out President Trump's promise of arresting and deporting illegal aliens who have invaded our country," the DHS press release continued. "Illegal aliens are hearing our message to leave now or face the consequence: Migrants are now turning back before they even reach our borders."
"Migration through Panama's Darien Gap is down 99.99%," McLaughlin added, referring to the dangerous route connecting South and Central America that many immigrants use on their way to America.
In the interview, McLaughlin also added that 10,000 new Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will soon be hired to assist with immigration operations.
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Exclusive: Brandon Gill unveils key legislation to accelerate deportations for criminal aliens
Republican Rep. Brandon Gill of Texas is doing his part to ramp up deportation efforts across the country.
Gill introduced landmark legislation on Wednesday that would effectively close loopholes and expand expedited removal authority to cover violent criminal aliens, according to bill text obtained exclusively by Blaze News. The bill also mandates the detention and expedited removal of violent criminals, gang members, and terrorists while also ensuring they are unable to abuse asylum protections.
'Democrat leaders invited them to invade our county en masse.'
The current law primarily limits expedited removal to migrants who recently crossed within 100 miles of the border and within 14 days of entry. Because of existing loopholes and procedures, criminal aliens are often sorted into slower and more standard removal proceedings.
In contrast, Gill's legislation addresses the removal of criminal aliens with urgency.
RELATED: Inside the Portland ICE facility under siege by Antifa extremists
"Our number one priority should be to protect American communities," Gill told Blaze News. "America should never be a safe haven for gang members, terrorists, or violent offenders."
"Yet, Democrat leaders invited them to invade our county en masse," Gill added. "Serious crimes require decisive consequences. My bill backs President Trump's efforts to capture and deport violent illegal aliens quickly at the behest of Americans across the nation who want their families to thrive in a safe society."
RELATED: Federal agents clash with mob of Antifa-fueled, anti-ICE protesters in Portland
Over the course of President Joe Biden's administration, there were over 10 million migrant encounters in the United States, according to Customs and Border Protection.
Since President Donald Trump took office in January, migrant encounters have plummeted to historic lows, with illegal crossings across the United States-Mexico border dropping to the lowest levels in over half a century. Gill indicated his legislation would continue this trend and help codify Trump's immigration policy.
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Exclusive: DHS disputes ‘false’ narrative from legacy media — ‘ICE does NOT arrest or deport US citizens’
A New York Times report published on Monday claimed that at least 15 American citizens have been “arrested or detained and questioned” by law enforcement officials as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The Department of Homeland Security rejected the Times’ accusations in a press release obtained exclusively by Blaze News.
The Times claimed that the DHS has “roamed the streets, courthouses and workplaces demanding proof of citizenship from residents,” particularly in Southern California communities.
'Any US citizens arrested are because of obstructing or assaulting law enforcement.'
The DHS rejected the Times’ accusation, emphasizing that its operations are “highly targeted” and do not result in the arrest of U.S. citizens.
“We do our due diligence,” the department explained. “We know who we are targeting ahead of time. If and when we do encounter individuals subject to arrest, our law enforcement is trained to ask a series of well-determined questions to determine status and removability. ICE does not arrest or detain U.S. citizens.”
The Times further reported that Americans had been detained overnight in immigration facilities without access to a lawyer or a phone call.
The DHS stated this was not true, noting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers have higher standards "than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens.”
RELATED: Pam Bondi issues zero-tolerance order on violence against federal officers
“Any claim that there are subprime conditions at ICE detention centers are false,” the DHS said.
“All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with lawyers and their family members,” the DHS continued.
The Times highlighted several cases, including those involving Kenny Laynez-Ambrosio, Jason Brian Gavidia, Javier Ramirez, George Retes, and Leonardo Garcia Venegas. The outlet reported that all the individuals were American citizens who were unjustly targeted by the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement.
According to the news outlet, Laynez-Ambrosio, 18, was riding in his employer’s truck with his co-workers in May when the Florida Highway Patrol pulled them over. After Laynez-Ambrosio and the other vehicle occupants refused to exit the vehicle, troopers forcibly removed them, the Times reported. Laynez-Ambrosio was allegedly held at a nearby Border Patrol facility for roughly six hours, despite repeatedly telling officials he was a U.S. citizen.
The DHS argued that Laynez-Ambrosio, who was in the vehicle with “several adult male illegal aliens from Guatemala,” resisted arrest during the traffic stop. Border Patrol agents, who were responding to a request for assistance from the FHP, arrested the illegal aliens.
Law enforcement officials detained Gavidia, 29, and Ramirez, 32, after conducting an operation at their place of business in East Los Angeles in June. The Times claimed that both were American citizens who were improperly targeted.
“Gavidia was arrested for assaulting a law enforcement officer and interfering with agents performing their duties,” the DHS stated. “Javier Ramirez was detained on the street for investigation for interference and released after being confirmed to be a U.S. citizen with no outstanding warrants.”
RELATED: Pot farm raid update: Trump's DHS found convicted rapists and kidnappers working near migrant kids
The Times reported that law enforcement agents unjustly detained Retes, a 25-year-old U.S. Army veteran, in July. During the detainment, officers allegedly broke his windshield and pepper-sprayed him after mistakenly identifying him as an unruly protester. Retes was on his way to work as a security guard for Glass House Farms, a marijuana farm in California. At the time of the incident, the farm was the site of a federal law enforcement operation, which sparked an anti-ICE demonstration.
The DHS claimed that Retes “became violent and refused to comply with law enforcement” while they were executing criminal search warrants at the farm.
“He challenged agents and blocked their route by refusing to move his vehicle out of the road. CBP arrested Retes for assault,” the department said.
The Times reported that authorities wrongfully targeted Venegas while he was working at a construction site. He began recording the officers after witnessing them push his brother, who is an illegal immigrant, to the ground, according to the news outlet. An officer allegedly tackled Venegas and kept him handcuffed for hours.
“During a targeted worksite operation, Garcia Venegas attempted to obstruct and prevent the lawful arrest of an illegal alien,” the DHS wrote. “He physically got in between agents and the subject they were attempting to arrest and refused to comply with numerous verbal commands. Anyone who actively obstructs law enforcement in the performance of their sworn duties, including U.S. citizens, will of course face consequences which include arrest.”
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “We have said it a million times: ICE does NOT arrest or deport U.S. citizens. Not even a week after the terrorist attack targeting ICE in Dallas, the media is once again shamefully peddling a false narrative, attempting to demonize our DHS law enforcement agents, who are already facing a 1,000% increase in assaults against them.”
“Any U.S. citizens arrested are because of obstructing or assaulting law enforcement,” McLaughlin declared.
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DC Sub Chucker Loses His Lunch, His Cool, And His Sweet DOJ Job In Pitiful Street Tantrum
A month ago, this kind of public disturbance may have gone unaddressed, and it would have emboldened more bad behavior.Exclusive: DHS underground nightclub raid dismantles alleged drug operation tied to illegal aliens
A July raid at an underground night club in Los Angeles, California, led to multiple arrests and the dismantling of a drug and financial scheme, according to a Department of Homeland Security press release exclusively obtained by Blaze News.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection executed a search warrant on July 19 at an El Monte nightclub as part of a drug trafficking investigation.
'Unfortunately, sanctuary politicians in California give cover to criminals to run an underground club filled with drugs and illegal financial schemes.'
Federal agents interrogated and searched 66 individuals, confiscating narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
DHS reported that it also seized thousands of gift cards that had been re-encoded and are suspected to be part of an illegal financial scheme.
ICE arrested eight illegal aliens, including six from China, one from Malaysia, and one from Mexico.
Among those apprehended, Qingmei Wang was charged with felony possession of illegal drugs with intent to distribute.
RELATED: Democrat state senator remains committed to alerting illegal aliens of ICE raids in her state
Zedong Zhang faces charges of trafficking or manufacturing controlled substances.
Bo Liu faces charges of possession of an illegal drug substance.
Shao Meng was charged with obtaining money by false pretenses.
Isaias Ramirez-Rosas was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, vandalism, and trespassing.
RELATED: Sanctuary cities on DOJ's list set to reap the whirlwind
All of those arrested are currently awaiting removal proceedings.
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the DHS Tricia McLaughlin stated, “In July, ICE and CBP agents worked together with the FBI and DEA to dismantle criminal drug operations in Los Angeles, California, which resulted in the arrest of multiple illegal aliens.”
“Unfortunately, sanctuary politicians in California give cover to criminals to run an underground club filled with drugs and illegal financial schemes. Under President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noem, DHS law enforcement is protecting Americans and keeping our communities safe,” McLaughlin said.
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'We got him': Suspect who violently threw rocks at officers during LA ICE riots arrested after fleeing to Mexico, feds say
Prosecutors say the man who was caught on video violently throwing rocks at federal agents during the anti-ICE rioting in Los Angeles was arrested after he fled to Mexico.
Law enforcement officers were violently attacked during the rioting that rocked L.A. for several days in June. More than a month later, one alleged attacker has been apprehended.
'We got him. He was arrested today at the US-Mexico border.'
"You may remember Elpidio Reyna, a subject who allegedly threw rocks at federal officers during immigration operations in California June 7. We got him. He was arrested today at the U.S.-Mexico border," said Dan Bongino, deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Reyna, who is a 40-year-old resident of Compton, was charged with assault on a federal officer, a felony, according to U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, who added that the suspect would appear in court Wednesday.
"He was taken into custody by a U.S. Border Patrol officer who was inside one of the vehicles damaged in the attack — a brave law enforcement officer who could have been killed in last month's dangerous and reckless attack," Essayli said.
An FBI notice about Reyna said the officer had been injured in the rock attack. Reyna faces eight years in prison if convicted.
Bongino posted video of the man, who was recorded flinging large rocks at vehicles driven by federal agents.
UPDATE:
You may remember Elpidio Reyna, a subject who allegedly threw rocks at federal officers during immigration operations in California June 7.
We got him.
He was arrested today at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Well done @FBILosAngeles @CBP and all federal partners.
More to… pic.twitter.com/zt0BP4Mkgb
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) July 23, 2025
As previously covered by Blaze News, video from inside the vehicles showed the violence aimed at federal agents.
"To anyone who thinks they can attack federal officers and hide behind a mask or helmet, Reyna's arrest today proves we can find and charge anyone who violates federal law. Don't touch our officers," Essayli warned.
"More to come. Those who attack America's police officers can run but they can't hide," Bongino added.
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Off-duty border officer shot in face allegedly by ‘Illegal Alien Monster’ with multiple arrests
A robbery over the weekend in a New York City park turned violent when one of the alleged culprits, an illegal alien, shot an off-duty Customs and Border Protection officer.
On Saturday, the officer and a female companion were sitting alongside the Hudson River in Fort Washington Park in Manhattan when they were ambushed by two men riding a moped around 11:50 p.m., the New York Post reported.
'He was apprehended at the Border in April 2023 but, instead of being deported, was RELEASED.'
A video of the incident showed one of the suspects approaching the two by the riverside. After a brief scuffle and an exchange of gunfire, the suspects fled the scene on their moped.
One of the alleged culprits shot the officer in his face and left forearm. The off-duty officer responded by drawing his firearm and shooting the suspect multiple times.
The wounded suspect was identified as Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez, a 21-year-old Dominican national, after he walked into a hospital to receive care for the gunshot wounds and was subsequently arrested.
— (@)
Nunez illegally entered the U.S. in April 2023. He was apprehended and processed by border officials who released him due to a lack of detention space. A judge ordered his removal that same year, sources told the Post.
The suspect has been accused of many other violent crimes in the U.S. At the time of his arrest, Nunez was reportedly wanted on kidnapping and weapons charges in Massachusetts. Law enforcement in New York City previously arrested him four times, but he was released without bail on each occasion, the Post stated. He was previously accused of assaulting a pregnant woman, threatening to kill another foreign national with a machete, and violating a protection order.
The Post reported that none of the alleged offenses were eligible for bail.
The accomplice in the shooting remains at large.
Police officers, who quickly responded to the shootout, were already near the scene after reports that the same two suspects had mugged a woman minutes before, stealing her cell phone.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that the off-duty CBP agent is in stable condition after undergoing surgery on Sunday.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem visited the wounded officer in the hospital on Monday.
“Suspect Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez is a national and citizen of the Dominican Republic,” Noem wrote in a post on X. “RE ENTERED and RELEASED under Biden — on April 4, 2023, the United States Border Patrol apprehended him at/near San Luis, AZ.”
RELATED: ICE accuses Democratic congressman of joining 'violent mob,' doxxing agent
President Donald Trump also weighed in on the recent attack, slamming Democrats for allowing illegal aliens into the country.
“Last night, in New York City, an incredible CBP Officer was shot in the face by an Illegal Alien Monster freed into the Country under Joe Biden,” Trump wrote on social media. “He was apprehended at the Border in April 2023 but, instead of being deported, was RELEASED.”
“The CBP Officer bravely fought off his attacker, despite his wounds, demonstrating enormous Skill and Courage,” Trump continued. “The Democrats have flooded our Nation with Criminal Invaders, and now, they must all be thrown out or, in some cases, immediately prosecuted in that we cannot take a chance that they are able to come back. That’s how evil and dangerous they are!”
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