- Sen. Ashley Moody's Halo Act would criminalize approaching federal immigration officers within 25 feet after a warning.
- Violations could bring up to five years in prison and substantial fines, framed as protection against rising attacks.
- Civil liberties advocates warn the buffer zone could chill protests and restrict free speech amid heated immigration fights.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a climate where federal immigration officers are dodging everything from death threats to outright vehicular assaults, Florida’s Republican Senator Ashley Moody is stepping up with a no-nonsense proposal.
Her newly introduced Halo Act aims to throw the book at anyone who gets too close for comfort—or worse—while agents are just trying to do their jobs.
It’s the kind of legislation that’s sparking heated debates: Is it a vital shield for law enforcement, or a step toward muzzling protesters?
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Moody, who served as Florida’s attorney general before ascending to the Senate, unveiled the bill this week, framing it as a direct response to what she calls an “appalling” wave of harassment against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel.
Details of the New Proposal
The measure, first detailed by Fox News, would criminalize approaching within 25 feet of a federal officer after being warned to back off, or any interference that includes physical threats.
Penalties? Up to five years behind bars and hefty fines.
“As the wife of a law enforcement officer, former attorney general, and now United States senator, I have always supported and fought for the selfless individuals who protect and serve our nation,” Moody told Fox News Digital.
“I am appalled at the news reports of people harassing and targeting federal officers while they are simply trying to do their jobs, and this must end.”
The timing couldn’t be more charged.
Agents Face a Slew of Attacks
Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reports a staggering uptick in attacks on its agents.
Vehicle rammings alone have exploded: 99 incidents nationwide in the first 10 months of 2025, more than double the 47 from the same stretch last year. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) saw 71 such assaults, a 58% jump from 45 in 2024.
And for ICE specifically? The numbers are chilling—28 attacks compared to just two the year prior, a 1,300% surge.
DHS has hammered home the broader trend to Newsweek on multiple occasions, noting a roughly 1,000% increase in assaults against ICE officers, though detailed breakdowns remain under wraps.
These aren’t abstract statistics; they’re the backdrop to real-world chaos.
Immigration Detention Has Turned Deadly
Protests have erupted outside ICE facilities from coast to coast, fueled by the administration’s aggressive mass deportation push. Advocacy groups paint a grim picture of the human cost: families torn apart, vulnerable migrants caught in the crossfire.
“Immigration detention is deadly—2025 is the deadliest year in ICE custody in decades,” said Setareh Ghandehari, advocacy director at Detention Watch Network, in a pointed statement.
“In immigration detention, deprivation of freedom, isolation, uncertainty, and abysmal conditions, including inadequate medical care and mental health services, inedible food, and racist abuse are a lethal combination that puts lives in jeopardy.
The Trump administration’s massive detention expansion is exacerbating the inhumane conditions inherent to ICE’s detention system.”
On the flip side, supporters of Moody’s bill see it as a long-overdue line in the sand.
Doxing—leaking agents’ personal info online—stalking, and even bounties on their heads have become disturbingly routine, DHS officials say.
“I’m introducing the Halo Act to enact criminal penalties for those that threaten or impede these federal officers while they are faithfully executing their duties,” Moody added in her Fox News interview.
It’s personal for her, too—her husband’s career in law enforcement underscores the stakes.
But not everyone’s cheering.
The Opposing Side’s Views
Civil liberties advocates worry the 25-foot buffer zone could chill legitimate protest and free speech, turning everyday demonstrations into potential felonies.
This tension mirrors broader clashes over immigration enforcement. ICE and Border Patrol have drawn fire for alleged heavy-handed tactics, like deploying tear gas during operations and what critics call excessive force in rounding up undocumented migrants.
Lawmakers and rights groups argue these methods risk lives and erode trust, especially as the administration eyes deporting millions without legal status.
Adding fuel to the fire: Just days ago, on November 17, the Justice Department sued California over two state laws signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 20.
The targets? Senate Bill 627, dubbed the No Secret Police Act, which mandates visible ID for non-uniformed officers, and Senate Bill 805, the No Vigilantes Act, restricting facial coverings for law enforcement.
The feds claim these rules violate the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and hamstring immigration work.
What Can We Expect Moving Forward
It’s a stark reminder of how state-federal fault lines are cracking under the weight of Trump’s deportation drive.
So, where does the Halo Act go from here? With Republicans holding the House, Senate, and White House, it’s got a tailwind.
GOP leaders could fast-track it through committees, potentially landing on the president’s desk before year’s end.
But in a divided nation, expect pushback—amendments, hearings, maybe even filibuster threats from Democrats wary of anything that smells like protest suppression.
This isn’t just about borders; it’s a microcosm of America’s soul-searching on security versus rights.
As attacks on agents mount and deportation raids intensify, Moody’s bill forces us to ask: How far is too far in protecting those who enforce the law?
And at what cost to the voices crying out against it?
One thing’s clear—the debate is far from over, and 2025’s immigration battles are only heating up.
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