GOP Lawmakers Praise ICE Officers with DHS Thanksgiving Message Video [WATCH]

The Department of Homeland Security released a Thanksgiving-themed video this week featuring Republican lawmakers thanking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel for their work as the Trump administration continues its national crackdown on illegal immigration, as reported by Fox News.

The video, posted on X, includes messages from members of Congress expressing appreciation for ICE employees who are working through the holiday.

Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa said she wanted to extend her “heartfelt thanks to the great men and women of ICE” with Thanksgiving approaching.

Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee also appeared in the video, stating, “This Thanksgiving, I thank you for your service, and for deporting the illegal invaders who’ve flooded our communities.”

The DHS post accompanying the montage read, “This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful to the dedicated men and women of @ICEgov who are working through the holiday to keep our communities safe. From the halls of Congress, thank you for your continued service and commitment.”

The video also featured House Speaker Mike Johnson, along with several other Republican lawmakers.

This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful to the dedicated men and women of @ICEgov who are working through the holiday to keep our communities safe.

From the halls of Congress, thank you for your continued service and commitment. pic.twitter.com/SNMEwo0cg1

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) November 25, 2025

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The release of the video comes as President Donald Trump’s administration continues a broad effort to enforce immigration law across the country.

DHS noted that ICE has faced a significant increase in reported assaults on its officers this year.

According to the agency, “From January 21, 2024, through November 21, 2024, there were only 19 reported assaults against ICE law enforcement, while in the same timeframe in 2025, there were 238 reported assaults. This is a 1,153% increase in assaults,” the department said in a statement.

The agency did not specify the circumstances behind the increase but said the numbers reflect the ongoing risks faced by ICE officers on duty. The Thanksgiving video emphasized the lawmakers’ support for the agency’s personnel and aimed to highlight ICE’s continued operations during the holiday period.

The Trump administration has said its enforcement actions are designed to remove individuals unlawfully present in the country and reduce the impact of illegal immigration on local communities. ICE continues to conduct operations in coordination with federal, state, and local partners, according to DHS.

The Thanksgiving video marks one of the latest efforts by the administration to publicly show support for ICE officers while underscoring the challenges the agency faces. DHS said the significant rise in assaults demonstrates the dangers associated with immigration enforcement and the need for continued backing of federal officers.

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