Antifa Attack On ICE Facility Results In Convictions
A federal jury on Friday convicted nine individuals for their roles in a violent 2025 attack on an immigration detention facility in Texas — a case federal prosecutors say marks the first terrorism trial in the United States involving self-identified adherents of the radical left-wing movement commonly known as Antifa.
Authorities identified Benjamin Song as the leader of the group responsible for the assault on the detention facility. Song was convicted of attempted murder after a police officer was shot and injured during the incident.
Eight additional defendants were found guilty of supporting the attack and now face convictions on charges that include rioting and possession of explosives.
Federal officials framed the verdict as a major milestone in the federal government’s crackdown on extremist violence.
Attorney General Pam Bondi praised the outcome, emphasizing that the administration of President Donald J. Trump intends to aggressively dismantle violent radical networks operating inside the United States.
“Antifa is a domestic terrorist organization that has been allowed to flourish in Democrat-led cities — not under President Trump,” Bondi said, according to the Washington Times. “Today’s verdict on terrorism charges will not be the last as the Trump administration systematically dismantles antifa and finally halts their violence on America’s streets.”
President Trump formally designated Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization last fall, citing the anti-government ideology and repeated episodes of violent unrest tied to individuals identifying with the movement. Critics of the designation have argued that Antifa functions more as a loosely organized ideology rather than a formal national organization.
July 4 Attack on ICE Facility
The attack took place on July 4 at the Prairieland Detention Center, a facility run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that houses migrants awaiting deportation proceedings.
According to prosecutors, the group began the assault by launching fireworks toward the facility in order to create a distraction.
When local police arrived to respond, gunfire erupted.
Thomas Gross testified that he was struck in the neck by a bullet during the exchange. Gross told jurors he heard Song shout, “get to the rifles,” moments before the shooting began.
Several participants later claimed they believed they were attending what had been described beforehand as a “noise demonstration” meant to protest ICE policies and show solidarity with detained migrants.
Prosecutors rejected that characterization, arguing that the violence that unfolded went far beyond any protected protest activity.
“Their terrorist acts, attempted murder, vandalism, and explosives launched at a detention facility were a far cry from some peaceful protest or First Amendment expression,” said Ryan Raybould, according to the Washington Times.
Additional Defendants Convicted
In addition to Song, those convicted include:
- Cameron Arnold
- Zachary Evetts
- Savanna Batten
- Bradford Morris
- Maricela Rueda
- Elizabeth Soto
- Ines Soto
- Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada
Federal officials noted that several other individuals involved in the broader plot had already pleaded guilty last year to providing material support to a terrorist organization.
Separate Legal Battle Involving Democratic Lawmaker
Meanwhile, a separate controversy involving immigration enforcement unfolded last year in New Jersey.
Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver appeared in federal court in October as she contested a three-count indictment accusing her of interfering with federal officers outside an ICE detention facility in Newark.
Prosecutors say the incident occurred in May 2025 during a confrontation tied to the arrest of Ras Baraka outside the facility.
According to the indictment, McIver attempted to physically interfere with federal officers during the arrest.
Prosecutors allege that McIver “slammed” her forearm into one ICE agent, grabbed him in an effort to restrain him, and struck another officer during a brief scuffle captured on surveillance and body camera footage lasting just over a minute.
At the time, McIver had been visiting the facility alongside fellow Democratic lawmakers Rob Menendez and Bonnie Watson Coleman as part of an oversight inspection connected to her role on the House Homeland Security Committee.
Her defense team has argued that any actions taken were protected under the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause because she was performing official legislative duties.
However, the presiding judge raised doubts about that argument, questioning whether an alleged assault that occurred outside the facility’s gate could legitimately be considered part of congressional oversight.
The Texas convictions and the New Jersey case together underscore the increasingly heated political and legal battles surrounding immigration enforcement — an issue that has remained central to the agenda of the Trump administration.