NJ twins charged over threats to DHS official
Two New Jersey brothers, Ricardo and Emilio Roman-Flores of Absecon, were arrested after posts on X allegedly threatened to torture and kill DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin and urged people to “shoot ICE on sight.” Emilio faces weapons and multiple threat-related charges; Ricardo is charged with conspiracy–terroristic threats. DHS credited Absecon Police and its SWAT team with the arrests, and ICE Director Todd Lyons vowed full prosecution amid a surge in threats against ICE personnel.
📌 Key Facts
- Suspects: Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores and Emilio Roman-Flores, American citizens from Absecon, NJ
- Alleged posts on X included 'Shoot ICE on sight' and threats to kill DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin
- Charges: Emilio—unlawful possession of an assault weapon, possession of prohibited weapons, conspiracy, terroristic threats, criminal coercion, cyber harassment; Ricardo—conspiracy–terroristic threats
- Arrests executed within three days of the alleged threats; DHS credited Absecon PD and SWAT
- ICE Director Todd Lyons warned: 'We will find you ... and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law'
📊 Relevant Data
As of July 2024, ICE had identified 435,000 unauthorized immigrants with criminal convictions in the United States.
U.S. deportation tracker: Counting arrests, deportations — NBC News
Among federally sentenced non-U.S. citizens, 93.7% are Hispanic, 2.3% are Black, 2.2% are White, and 1.8% are other races.
Federally Sentenced Non-U.S. Citizens — United States Sentencing Commission
Hispanics make up 18.99% of the total U.S. population in 2025.
United States Population by Race & Ethnicity - 2025 Update — Neilsberg Research
Approximately 68% of unauthorized immigrants in the United States are from Mexico and Central America.
Profile of the Unauthorized Population - US — Migration Policy Institute
The Hispanic population in New Jersey increased 42% from 1.5 million in 2010 to 2.2 million in 2020, representing about 21% of the state's population.
Population Racial/Ethnic Distribution by Year, New Jersey, 2010 to 2020 — New Jersey Department of Health