California illegal immigrant rams truck into federal officers, DOJ charges say

Illegal Immigrant from Mexico Charged with Assault on Federal Officer in San Diego

A 19-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he rammed his truck into an agent and government vehicles during an immigration operation in San Diego.

The case comes the same week another illegal immigrant, Harjinder Singh, was accused in a Florida crash that killed three people — underscoring renewed scrutiny of Biden-era immigration enforcement.

According to an ICE statement, the illegal, Rolando Nava Pacheco, is facing up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for striking a federal agent and government vehicles in an attempt to flee.

Homeland Security agents stopped Pacheco during an immigration operation in San Diego for suspected immigration violations on Aug. 11. According to a DOJ statement, after the federal agents identified themselves as law enforcement, Pacheco attempted to flee by accelerating his white truck and striking an agent and a government vehicle.

The DOJ statement says the agents “verbally announced themselves as federal agents and requested identification from vehicle’s driver.”

Assault on Federal Officer Charges

“As the white truck recklessly tried to flee the area, a federal agent driving a government vehicle attempted to block the path of the white truck,” the DOJ statement said.

As a result, “the driver of the white truck proceeded to strike the federal agent’s vehicle head on.”

Pacheco is now facing charges of assault on a federal officer resulting in bodily injury and destruction of federal property.

Fox News Digital reached out to Pacheco’s attorney for comment.

Patrick Divver, San Diego field office director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, commented that the operation “demonstrates the commitment of ERO officers to enforcing federal immigration laws and protecting public safety.

“Despite the challenges encountered, our officers remain dedicated to carrying out their duties with professionalism,” he said.

Increased Scrutiny on Immigration Enforcement

“The arrest of this individual for assaulting our officers or agents underscores our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the safety of law enforcement personnel and holding offenders accountable,” said Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson.

“We will not tolerate violence against law enforcement, and we are resolute in our pursuit of justice,” added Gibson.

This incident comes amid renewed scrutiny of Biden-era immigration enforcement and highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with illegal immigrants.

According to a new study by Pew Research, the illegal immigrant population in the United States reached a record 14 million in 2023 under the Biden administration.

Conclusion

Illegal immigration remains a contentious issue in the United States, with incidents like the one involving Rolando Nava Pacheco and Harjinder Singh prompting renewed discussions on immigration enforcement and border security.

Law enforcement agencies continue to face challenges in enforcing immigration laws while ensuring the safety of their officers and the public.

For more updates on immigration news, stay tuned to Fox News Digital.