CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Assaults on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have surged by 1000% compared to this time last year, driven by misinformation and violent rhetoric, according to ICE officials. The agency warned that such actions jeopardize public safety and hinder ICE’s mission to remove criminal alien threats from the United States.
The statement comes ahead of a planned protest in Cedar Rapids set for Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. Community members, organized by Esucha Mi Voz, plan to support three immigrant families during their ICE check-ins and protest the new checkpoint at 3351 Square D Dr SW.
While ICE respects individuals’ rights to peacefully protest and express their opinions, the agency emphasized that protests must remain lawful. Previous demonstrations in Cedar Rapids did result in graffiti and other acts of vandalism…