Overview

• Press reports say the first of the dark-blue SUVs branded with large yellow “ICE” lettering and the slogan “DEFEND THE HOMELAND” will appear imminently in Washington, D.C., before expanding nationwide.
• Anonymous ICE sources caution that the bold design will undermine undercover operations by making agents and vehicles easily identifiable.
• Agents report a sharp uptick in assaults and vehicle vandalism—including slashed tires and thrown projectiles—and fear the new markings will heighten those risks.
• The Department of Homeland Security has not publicly confirmed how many vehicles will be deployed, the total cost or who authorized the redesign.
• An ICE insider says the marked fleet will be used solely for arrest operations and will not replace unmarked surveillance vehicles.