NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna took to Fox News Tuesday to challenge Democrats accusing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents of being predominantly white and pushing racial divisions. Appearing on “Jesse Watters Primetime,” Luna emphasized that a large portion of ICE personnel are Hispanic, debunking claims used to “race bait” Americans.
Democrats have vocally opposed ICE amid intensified raids and detentions targeting undocumented immigrants nationwide. Some Democratic lawmakers and officials have even faced legal consequences after allegedly retaliating against ICE agents. Recently, Democrats pushed legislation aimed at banning federal agents from wearing masks during operations, a move tied to debates over transparency and safety.
Luna criticized the perceived hypocrisy of Democrats, pointing out their earlier enforcement of mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. “These are the same Democrat politicians that forced people to wear masks so they couldn’t see their loved ones pass away in hospitals or get married,” she said. “It’s completely hypocritical.”
The legislation in question was introduced by California State Senator Scott Wiener, who seeks to prohibit law enforcement officers from covering their faces in public and to require visible identification. The push comes as the Trump administration has ramped up ICE operations, particularly in sanctuary cities that have resisted federal immigration enforcement.
In recent arrest footage, many ICE agents are seen wearing masks to protect their identities amid rising threats, including assaults and doxing incidents, according to Border Czar Tom Homan.
Luna highlighted ICE’s diverse makeup: “ICE is actually predominantly 50% Hispanic.” She explained that the attacks on ICE agents are often framed as a racial issue—painting it as Hispanic versus white—but in reality, the agency includes many Hispanic workers who support immigration enforcement policies. She added that attempts to dox Hispanic ICE agents and Border Patrol officers are “completely unacceptable.”
Supporting Luna’s remarks, 2023 data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — which oversees ICE — shows the workforce is nearly balanced in racial composition. Out of nearly 200,000 DHS employees, 51.7% are white, Hispanics make up 22.8%, and Black employees comprise 16.7%. When combining all minority groups, they represent 48.3% of DHS personnel.
By shedding light on the diversity within ICE, Luna aimed to push back against political narratives that exploit race for partisan purposes, urging the public to recognize the complex realities behind immigration enforcement.
PLAY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B49TUXCN5ho
