A man tried to throw an improvised firebomb at ICE’s Atlanta office, but Tuesday’s attack failed after the bottle didn’t clear the fence.
An Atlanta police officer spotted and chased the man, but he eluded authorities. They are now trying to track him down, the Department of Homeland Security said Thursday.
The attack took place about 9 p.m. Tuesday.
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“This latest attack is part of a dangerous and unacceptable escalation of violence against the men and women of ICE who are simply enforcing the laws of the United States,” said Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.
Mr. Mullin blamed overheated rhetoric from politicians aimed at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for creating and environment that spurs violence toward ICE.
Homeland Security says ICE officers saw a 1,600% increase in assaults since the Trump administration took office and began a mass deportation campaign.
Several ICE facilities in Texas have been attacked, including one in Dallas that came under fire by a sniper who killed two migrants and a nighttime attack on an ICE detention center in Prairieland, which saw a small mob vandalize buildings and vehicles, then fire rifles at police who responded. One officer was wounded.
During the first Trump administration. a man attempted to firebomb an ICE facility in Tacoma, Washington. He was attempting to ignite a commercial propane tank, which could have ignited the facility, when he was shot and killed by responding police.
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