Due to increased violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli (R-OH) earlier this month sponsored legislation that would establish a criminal penalty for anyone obstructing immigration enforcement activities.
The Halo Act, H.R. 7846, which Rep. Rulli introduced on March 5 alongside three Republican cosponsors, aims to help increase protections for federal ICE officers.
“Our ICE agents and federal immigration officers put themselves in harm’s way every single day to enforce our laws and protect our communities,” Rep. Rulli said on March 19. “The Halo Act makes it crystal clear: if you try to intimidate or obstruct federal officers doing their job, there will be consequences.”
Federal officials report that ICE agents have faced a surge in threats and violence, including an 8,000 percent increase in death threats and more than a 1,300 percent increase in assaults against officers, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Rulli’s staff.
H.R. 7846, which is a companion bill to the same-named S. 3179, would establish criminal penalties for individuals who, after being verbally warned, remain within a 25-foot “halo” around a harassed officer.
The penalties would apply to anyone interfering with, threatening, or harassing the officer while they are carrying out lawful immigration enforcement duties, the summary says.