A Houston ICE officer is recovering from brutal injuries after being attacked while attempting an arrest. The assailant, identified as Walter Leonel Perez Rodriguez, allegedly used a metal coffee cup to inflict severe wounds, leaving the officer with a deep facial laceration requiring 13 stitches and burns to the side of his face.
Rodriguez, a Salvadoran national, has a disturbing history. He initially entered the U.S. illegally over fifteen years ago and was previously deported twice – once in 2013 and again in 2020. Despite prior removal orders, he repeatedly re-entered the country unlawfully.
The gravity of Rodriguez’s past extends far beyond immigration violations. He has a criminal record including a conviction for sexual assault of a child under 17, along with charges of child fondling and multiple driving under the influence offenses. His arrest now places him back in ICE custody, preventing further potential harm.
This attack is part of a deeply concerning trend. Homeland Security reports a staggering 1,000 percent increase in assaults against its law enforcement officers. Agents are facing escalating danger while working to apprehend dangerous criminals and enforce the law.
The incident occurred during a large-scale operation in Houston that spanned ten days and resulted in over 1,500 arrests. These weren’t simply immigration violations; the sweep targeted aggravated felons, gang members, and individuals accused of horrific crimes.
Among those apprehended were 17 documented gang members, 40 individuals with prior felony convictions, a convicted murderer, and 13 individuals identified as sexual predators. The collective offenses committed by those arrested paint a grim picture of the threats faced by the community.
The arrests included charges ranging from aggravated assault and drug offenses to weapons violations and numerous DUIs. A significant portion – 255 individuals – had already been deported from the U.S. at least once, highlighting the challenges of enforcing immigration laws.
Nearly one-third of those arrested had existing removal orders issued by an immigration judge, underscoring the complexities of the legal process and the difficulties in preventing re-entry. These operations represent a concentrated effort to protect communities from violent criminals and those who pose a threat to public safety.
Despite the increasing risks, ICE agents continue to carry out these vital operations. Officials emphasize their commitment to safeguarding citizens, even as they navigate a climate of escalating hostility and misinformation directed towards law enforcement.
