The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday defended an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who fatally shot someone in what the agency says was self-defense.

"Today, ICE officers in Minneapolis were conducting targeted operations when rioters began blocking ICE officers and one of these violent rioters weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them—an act of domestic terrorism," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. "

An ICE officer, fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots."

Minneapolis has become a hotspot for immigration enforcement in the wake of revelations about widespread welfare fraud in the Somali expat community there. The city has further been a focal point for anti-ICE demonstrations.

"This is the direct consequence of constant attacks and demonization of our officers by sanctuary politicians who fuel and encourage rampant assaults on our law enforcement," McLaughlin added.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.