Previously Deported Alien Throws Molotov Cocktail at LA Police

On June 7, 2025, Los Angeles descended into turmoil. During riots driven by anti-ICE fervor, Emiliano Garduno-Galvez, an illegal alien from Mexico, threw a Molotov cocktail at law enforcement officers. This brazen act of violence targeted the very people who keep our streets safe. Now charged with attempted murder, Garduno-Galvez exposes a deeper problem: our borders are failing, and our officers are paying the price.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement responded decisively, arresting Garduno-Galvez on June 9. Yet his presence in the U.S. raises a critical question. How does a previously deported criminal, with prior arrests for grand theft and DUI, return to commit such a heinous act? The answer points to a border security system that's crumbling under neglect and misguided priorities.

This incident reflects a broader crisis. The Los Angeles riots led to 50 arrests and five injured officers, with National Guard troops deployed to restore order. Nationwide, federal officials report escalating violence tied to immigration protests, from Molotov cocktails to attempted arson. Our law enforcement officers face relentless threats, and we cannot ignore the stakes.

Garduno-Galvez had no right to be here. Previously deported, he illegally re-entered, committing a felony under federal law. His 2024 arrests for grand theft in Anaheim and DUI in Long Beach reveal a pattern of disregard for our laws. A nine-year Los Angeles study confirms this trend: 91% of previously deported immigrants were rearrested, compared to 64% of those never removed. Prior deportation more than doubles the likelihood of reoffending.

Customs and Border Protection data shows border recidivism soaring, from 7% in 2019 to 27% in 2021, fueled by policies that allow quick returns with minimal deterrence. Illegal re-entry brings detention and steeper sentences, but the cycle continues. Years of lenient enforcement have created a revolving door for criminals like Garduno-Galvez, undermining public safety.

Some claim immigrants commit fewer serious crimes, citing 2023 data showing lower incarceration rates for illegal immigrants than native-born citizens. This argument sidesteps reality. When a criminal alien re-enters and attacks our officers with a Molotov cocktail, the immediate concern is stopping preventable threats before they escalate, not broad statistical trends.

The Molotov cocktail hurled at Los Angeles deputies was no anomaly. Violent protests have surged, with rocks thrown in Austin, federal buildings defaced, and incendiary devices used against police. In Boulder, an Egyptian national injured eight people with Molotov cocktails at a pro-Israel rally. These acts violate federal law, which treats such devices as unregistered destructive weapons with penalties matching illegal firearms possession. Yet the attacks continue.

Law enforcement faces extraordinary challenges. In Los Angeles, officers used over 600 less-lethal rounds to manage crowds building barricades and throwing flaming bottles. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin spoke plainly: rioters are protecting criminals like Garduno-Galvez, endangering the officers who serve us. The priority here is safeguarding those who uphold the law, a concern that supersedes protest rights.

Certain California leaders argue ICE raids are overly aggressive, claiming they harm community trust. They call for reviews of police actions and defend protest freedoms. But when officers are targeted with deadly weapons, such criticisms lose weight. Valuing rioters' rights over law enforcement's safety encourages further lawlessness.

The path forward demands action: secure our borders and stand firmly behind law enforcement. Nineteen Republican governors have sent over 9,400 guardsmen and police to the border, confiscating 7,000 pounds of drugs and 300 firearms since 2022. House Homeland Security leaders propose $46.5 billion for border barriers and $4.1 billion for additional border agents. These efforts are yielding results, with southwest border apprehensions falling to under 300 per day. But we need more.

Pew polling reveals 82% of conservative Republicans demand stronger measures, and 58% support increased deportations. The public understands that unchecked illegal immigration breeds crime and disorder. Customs and Border Protection recorded over 5,000 apprehensions of criminals in seven months, with illegal re-entry leading the charges. We cannot allow violent offenders to exploit our borders.

It's time to act decisively. Fund border agents, empower ICE, and ensure swift prosecution and deportation for criminals. Failing to do so dishonors the officers who risk everything to protect us.

Emiliano Garduno-Galvez's attack was a wake-up call, a grave offense that highlighted flaws in our system. Every criminal alien who re-enters and causes harm highlights the flaws in our system. The Los Angeles riots, with their burning bottles and injured officers, show what's at stake. We cannot let this continue.

We face a clear choice: bolster our borders, support our law enforcement, and hold criminals accountable, or allow chaos to spread. The evidence—from recidivism data to the bravery of our officers—demands action. Strong border security protects lives and honors those who serve.

How many more attacks must our officers endure? The time for hesitation is gone. Let's stand for law and order, ensuring our communities and heroes are safe.