Two New Jersey brothers have been arrested for allegedly making terroristic threats against senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official Tricia McLaughlin, including social media posts that reportedly urged people to “shoot ICE agents on sight.” One of the brothers also faces multiple weapons-related charges.
The arrests come at a time when threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staff have surged dramatically.
According to DHS, death threats targeting ICE personnel have increased by 8,000%.
🚨ARRESTED🚨
Two brothers have been arrested after allegedly threatening to torture and kill DHS Spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin and calling for the immediate shooting of ICE agents.
Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores and Emilio Roman-Flores have both been arrested and charged.… pic.twitter.com/kJsEAwucE2
— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) December 9, 2025
Ricardo and Emilio Roman-Flores Accused of Posting Violent Messages
The suspects, Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores and Emilio Roman-Flores, are twins from Absecon near Atlantic City. Authorities say both men posted threatening messages on X aimed at Tricia McLaughlin, a frequent public advocate for DHS immigration operations.
One of the posts directed at McLaughlin read: “[The Second] Amendment is in place for moments like this. Shoot ICE on sight.” “We Americans should find you, tar you, feather you, and hang you as we did to anyone serving tyrants before the Revolutionary War.”
A second post, allegedly sent by the other brother, also stated: “Shoot ICE on sight.”
McLaughlin Previously Criticized Violent Rhetoric Toward ICE
McLaughlin has spoken publicly in support of ICE operations and has strongly condemned threats made against agency personnel. She has referred to individuals who target ICE staff as “despicable” and has linked many of the incidents to what she called “violent rhetoric from Democrats and the political left.”
She has also criticized local officials who oppose DHS operations, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
ICE Director Says Arrests Should Serve as a Warning
In a statement to Fox News, ICE Director Todd Lyons said: “We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. We are not afraid of you.”
Lyons added that: “If you threaten our law enforcement or DHS officials, we will hunt you down, and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
He also attributed growing hostility toward ICE to “extreme rhetoric” from media outlets, sanctuary-city leaders, and left-wing activists.
Charges Filed Against the Roman-Flores Brothers
Emilio Roman-Flores faces several charges, including:
- Unlawful possession of an assault weapon
- Possession of prohibited weapons
- Conspiracy
- Terroristic threats
- Criminal coercion
- Cyber harassment
Ricardo Roman-Flores has been charged with one count of conspiracy–terroristic threats.
DHS credited the Absecon Police Department and its SWAT team for carrying out the search and arrest warrant that led to both brothers’ detention.
