DHS: Fla. Man Arrested After Posting Death Threats to ICE Agents

A Florida man was arrested Thursday after posting a string of violent online threats urging people to "shoot the ICE Nazis down" and kill immigration officers, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Friday.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Fort Myers arrested Joseph Giancola, who posted under the alias "Cain Delon" on the social media platform Bluesky.

According to DHS, Giancola repeatedly called for violence against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, posting messages that included:

-"Shoot the ICE Nazis down like the rabid dogs they are."
-"Just get a gun and shoot the ICE Nazis down."
-"Start by shooting ICE thugs dead."
-"Shoot those ICE thugs dead."
-"Shoot the ICE agents down."
-"They come near me, and I shoot to kill. Be warned."
-"Shoot these thugs dead."
-"Get out your guns and shoot them down."

Officials said Giancola's threats are part of a growing wave of violence directed at ICE officers. 

Death threats against ICE agents are up 8,000%, and assaults have increased more than 1,000% in recent years, according to DHS.

"This cowardly individual made repeated, disgusting death threats against ICE law enforcement officers," said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. 

"He is now in federal custody and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

McLaughlin condemned the "unprecedented level of violence and threats" targeting ICE personnel, who she said risk their lives daily "to remove the worst of the worst — murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members."

"From bounties placed on their heads, to threats against their families, to stalking and doxxing online — our officers are being targeted like never before," she said. 

"Threaten violence or death to our law enforcement? You'll end up behind bars like this guy."

DHS warned that the spike in threats has been fueled by politicians and media figures comparing ICE agents to the Nazi Gestapo or slave patrols.

"For months, DHS has warned politicians and the media to tone down their rhetoric about ICE law enforcement," the agency said in a statement. "Comparing ICE to secret police has consequences."

The department noted that ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are "fathers and mothers, sons and daughters" dedicated to making American communities safer.

"The dehumanization of these men and women who are simply enforcing the law must stop," DHS said.

Giancola remains in federal custody and faces prosecution for making threats of violence against federal officers.