Waterloo Times

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) and several Republican colleagues have introduced the Protect and Respect ICE Act, a bill that would double criminal penalties for assaulting, resisting, or impeding an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer or employee. The Senate version of the legislation is led by Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO).

“America’s courageous ICE agents put their lives on the line every day to uphold the rule of law and protect our citizens from violent, criminal illegal aliens. Instead of standing with law enforcement, the radical Left sides with dangerous illegal aliens and even wants to strip ICE agents of the gear that keeps them safe. That’s unacceptable. Anyone who assaults an ICE agent must face the harshest possible punishment. That’s why I am fighting to double the federal penalty for attacks on ICE agents. We will never back down in defending our law enforcement, we will never tolerate unhinged assaults on ICE, and we will not stop until every single illegal alien is deported, and our communities are safe.”–Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

“Pro-illegal immigration advocates have called for doxxing ICE agents and fueled dangerous rhetoric to inspire violence against them. Law enforcement officers already have the most dangerous and difficult job as they work tirelessly to protect our communities. We must do everything we can to stand with them in their mission and severely punish anyone who attacks an ICE agent. I am proud to join Congresswoman Hinson in introducing the Protect and Respect ICE Act to send clear signal about the unacceptability of harming the brave men and women serving our nation.” – Congressman Brad Knott

“Protecting America starts with protecting those sworn to defend it. While the brave men and women of ICE risk their lives to arrest and deport dangerous criminal illegal aliens, assaults on our agents have skyrocketed because of the radical Left’s rhetoric. That’s why I’m joining my colleagues in an effort to double the penalty for assaulting an ICE agent. If someone dares to attack our law enforcement officers, there needs to be real, serious consequences.” – Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger

“I want to thank Representative Hinson and Representative Knott for introducing the Protect and Respect ICE Act to protect our selfless ICE Agents as they protect our nation from illegal invaders. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill and support of President Trump’s law and order agenda.” – Congressman Abraham Hamadeh

According to information from July 9 provided by the White House, there has been a 700% increase in assaults against ICE agents this year. In July, three protestors attacked ICE agents in Portland, Oregon; these individuals were reported as being influenced by leftist rhetoric and had an incendiary device in their possession. Another incident occurred in Texas where 11 people attacked an ICE facility and fired shots at federal agents.

Supporters argue that these expanded penalties are necessary as deterrence measures due to what they describe as increasing boldness among perpetrators—especially in cities where public safety is perceived as less enforced.

Ashley Hinson currently serves Iowa's 2nd congressional district after replacing Abby Finkenauer in 2021 [source]. Before her tenure in Congress began that year, she served four years in Iowa's House of Representatives [source]. Born in Des Moines in 1983, Hinson now resides in Marion [source] after graduating from University of Southern California with a bachelor's degree [source].

The full text of the bill is available online along with additional reporting by Fox News.