ICE arrests Cuban man for allegedly ramming multiple federal vehicles, nearly striking an officer

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS: Federal immigration authorities arrested a Cuban national this week after an encounter in a San Antonio parking lot escalated into what officials described as a violent attempt to evade arrest.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, January 13, has renewed scrutiny of the growing dangers faced by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers amid heightened political tensions over immigration enforcement.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE agents were conducting a targeted vehicle stop when the suspect, identified as Robyn Argote Brooks, allegedly used his car as a weapon, ramming multiple federal vehicles and nearly striking an officer on foot. DHS said Brooks is an undocumented immigrant from Cuba and remains in ICE custody.

Video shows what unfolded during San Antonio incident

Video footage released by authorities shows Brooks driving a sedan that was boxed in by ICE vehicles as agents attempted to take him into custody. Despite commands from law enforcement, Brooks is seen suddenly reversing at speed, narrowly missing an agent standing nearby before slamming into a federal SUV.

Officials said Brooks then accelerated forward, crashing into another ICE vehicle positioned in front of him. As agents surrounded the car and attempted to stop the vehicle, Brooks continued pressing the accelerator. The standoff ended only after an ICE officer smashed the driver-side window and forcibly removed Brooks from the car.

DHS said one officer was injured during the confrontation and later sought medical treatment for neck injuries. “We are praying for him, his health and his family,” Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement following the arrest.

DHS blames sanctuary policies for rising violence

McLaughlin placed responsibility for the incident on what she described as pro-sanctuary political rhetoric that encourages undocumented immigrants to resist law enforcement. “They have created an environment that incites violence against our law enforcement,” she said.

The assistant secretary warned that attacks on ICE officers have surged dramatically, citing new DHS figures.

According to the agency, ICE officers have faced a 3,200% increase in vehicular assaults. Between January 21, 2025, and January 7, 2026, officers reported 66 vehicular attacks, compared to just two during the same period the previous year. DHS also reported a more than 1,300% rise in physical assaults on ICE personnel overall.

“Secretary Noem has been clear: Anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” McLaughlin added.

ICE leadership warns of constant threats to officers

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons echoed those concerns, arguing that federal immigration agents are increasingly facing hostility during routine operations. “When we hear elected officials calling upon individuals to impede or obstruct ICE law enforcement operations nationwide, you're going to see incidents like this,” Lyons said.

He described the San Antonio encounter as emblematic of what agents face daily. “You saw the officers and agents attempting to apprehend a criminally illegal alien, and there they are using their car as a weapon,” Lyons claimed.

“Every day, this is what the men and women of ICE are facing. It's constant impediments, constant attacks like this. And it's not safe for my folks, it's not safe for the public. It really needs to stop,” he added. 

Background on suspect and broader enforcement debate

DHS said Brooks entered the US in 2024 through the Biden administration’s CBP One app, which officials have criticized for allowing large numbers of migrants to enter while awaiting immigration proceedings.

The agency claims the program permitted more than a million individuals to enter the country without sufficient vetting, a charge repeatedly disputed by supporters of the policy.

The San Antonio arrest comes as ICE operations nationwide have drawn protests and resistance, with critics accusing the agency of aggressive tactics and supporters arguing enforcement is necessary for public safety. For DHS and ICE leadership, the incident underscores what they say is an urgent need to protect officers tasked with carrying out federal law.

As investigations continue, federal officials have made clear that Brooks will face consequences for what they describe as a deliberate and dangerous attack on law enforcement.