State Representative Enrique Sanchez—whose recent record includes multiple DUI arrests and unauthorized late-night gatherings—took to social media Thursday to denounce U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, branding its agents “Nazi thugs,” accusing them of terrorizing his constituents and vowing retaliation.
“It will be soon the day that I confront these Nazi ICE thugs in person for terrorizing our communities,” he wrote on X. “It will be a day of reckoning and no going back.” But it didn’t take long for a Department of Homeland Security official to fire back with a warning.
Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin quote-posted Sanchez’s remark, ensuring he would be notified of her reply, and threw down not a threat, but a promise of her own. “Cowards like this Rhode Island State Rep hide behind their keyboards and threaten the brave men and women of ICE,” she wrote. “If you lay a hand on ICE law enforcement we will arrest you and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The dispute arose only after Sanchez spent the past few weeks lobbing pointed threats at ICE agents on social media, according to WPRI. He lamented the “kidnapping of a Providence neighbor” by “Nazi Gestapo ICE thugs.”
“They think they are above the law. I strongly condemn this act of terror and will be demanding answers and seeking action tomorrow,” Sanchez wrote on X. “I am tired of this s***. Providence doesn’t want ICE thugs in our city.” The comment was condemned by both Democrats and Republicans and picked up national traction as outlets like Fox News labeled Sanchez’s views “heinous” and an “insult” to immigration officers.
Even Democratic Gov. Dan McKee publicly condemned Sanchez’s outburst, underscoring how little support he’d find if he tried to confront ICE agents directly. Meanwhile, State Rep. Charlene Lima of Cranston noted that she and many in her caucus actually favor local law enforcement partnering with ICE to apprehend and deport dangerous individuals.
“If I was mayor or governor, I would be mandating law enforcement must help ICE to keep our communities safer,” Lima said. “In fact, there’d be penalties if they didn’t help. That’s what our job is: to protect our community and keep our streets safe.”
She added: “I think that Representative Sanchez is very genuine in his feelings, but he’s very misguided in thinking that he is protecting his community by protecting the criminals. He’s protecting the wrong people.”
