Glen Burnie, Maryland: Two Injured After ICE Agents Fire at Vehicle Amid Crackdown on Illegal Immigration

Published on December 26, 2025

A tense and dramatic situation in Glen Burnie, Maryland, has left two people injured after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents opened fire on a vehicle that was attempting to flee arrest. The incident took place on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, when ICE agents tried to arrest two men—one from Portugal and the other from El Salvador—who were allegedly living in the U.S. without legal status.

The confrontation occurred in a suburban neighborhood of Baltimore, as the men were driving through Glen Burnie when ICE officers tried to stop them. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the agents ordered the driver to pull over and turn off the engine. However, the driver ignored the commands and instead rammed the vehicle into several of the ICE cars, prompting the law enforcement officers to respond with gunfire.

ICE Officers Respond to Threat

In a statement released by DHS, it was confirmed that the ICE agents, fearing for their lives and public safety, fired their service weapons defensively. The vehicle, a white van, was struck by the officers’ gunfire before the driver lost control, crashing into a wooded area between two buildings. This collision resulted in injuries to the passenger of the vehicle, who was later treated by emergency responders.

The two men involved in the incident, one from Portugal and the other from El Salvador, were taken into custody after receiving medical attention. The DHS confirmed that no ICE agents were injured during the altercation. Local police confirmed the sequence of events to ABC News, noting that the driver of the van had attempted to run over the agents.

This violent escalation follows a similar incident just days earlier in St. Paul, Minnesota, where ICE agents were forced to fire at a Cuban man who resisted arrest and attempted to ram ICE vehicles. These incidents have led to concerns over the increasing tensions surrounding ICE operations, particularly with the growing resistance from individuals attempting to evade immigration enforcement.

Public Safety and Law Enforcement Measures

DHS officials quickly defended the actions of the ICE agents, highlighting the constant danger the officers face while enforcing immigration laws and ensuring public safety. According to a post from the Department of Homeland Security on X (formerly Twitter), the department emphasized that the officers are putting their lives at risk every day in order to protect American communities by apprehending and removing individuals living in the U.S. illegally.

The Department also issued a warning, urging an end to the “extremist rhetoric” that has fueled such confrontations. They argued that encouraging individuals to resist arrest puts both law enforcement officers and the public at risk. The statement also pointed out that violent resistance to arrest will only lead to more incidents of this nature.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore responded to the shooting incident, writing on social media that he was “aware of the ICE-involved shooting” and confirmed that his office would continue to provide updates as the investigation into the matter unfolded.

The Wider Implications of ICE Arrests

The incidents involving ICE agents firing their weapons come amid heightened concerns over the impact of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, particularly in areas like Maryland, which has seen a surge in both legal and illegal immigration in recent years.

Critics of the crackdown have raised alarms about the potential for these types of violent encounters to escalate, noting that many of those targeted by ICE may have families, jobs, and ties to local communities. Furthermore, many local governments have criticized the aggressive tactics used by federal immigration authorities, arguing that such approaches often lead to unnecessary conflict and strain relationships with immigrant communities.

A Look at the Nationwide Trend

The shooting in Maryland follows closely on the heels of another incident in Minnesota. On Sunday, December 21, 2025, ICE agents were involved in a violent altercation in St. Paul after they attempted to arrest a Cuban man who was in the U.S. illegally. The man reportedly fled the scene in his SUV, ramming an ICE vehicle and hitting one of the agents with his car before the officers fired several shots in self-defense.

Both incidents have sparked renewed debate about the methods used by ICE agents in their efforts to apprehend illegal immigrants. While DHS has continued to stand behind the officers involved, emphasizing their safety and the importance of enforcing immigration laws, opponents argue that these confrontations are a symptom of larger systemic issues.

Safety Concerns and Investigations

As investigations into these incidents continue, there are growing calls for transparency and oversight regarding the use of force by federal law enforcement agencies. Maryland officials have pledged to release more information as the investigation into the Glen Burnie shooting progresses, ensuring that the public remains informed about the ongoing developments.

In the meantime, law enforcement agencies continue to conduct raids and arrests in their efforts to curb illegal immigration, with ICE agents expected to remain vigilant in their operations. However, as tensions rise and incidents like these become more frequent, it is clear that the debate surrounding immigration enforcement in the U.S. will remain a contentious issue for the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

The shooting in Glen Burnie highlights a troubling pattern of increasing violence tied to ICE operations. As law enforcement intensifies its efforts to combat illegal immigration, the growing tension between federal authorities and immigrant communities becomes impossible to ignore. This conflict, marked by confrontational incidents, calls for a deeper, more compassionate conversation. Both sides need to come together, address the root causes of these clashes, and find solutions that ensure safety and fairness for everyone involved, before more lives are affected by the escalating violence.

Table: ICE-Related Shooting Incidents in 2025