New Jersey twins Ricardo and Emilio Roman-Flores charged with threatening DHS officials: What to know

Ricardo and Emilio Roman-Flores face charges after violent posts targeting ICE.

Published on: Dec 10, 2025, 15:43:46 IST

By Prakriti Deb

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A pair of New Jersey twins have been arrested after federal authorities say they issued graphic threats against a senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official and urged followers online to “shoot ICE on sight.”

Federal officials said the threats were posted amid a sharp surge in violent rhetoric targeting immigration officers nationwide. (In Photo: Emilio Roman-Flores/ DHS)

The brothers, Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores and Emilio Roman-Flores, both US citizens from Absecon, were taken into custody after DHS and the Absecon Police Department SWAT team executed a search and arrest warrant on Tuesday, according to a DHS press release issued December 9.

Federal officials said the threats were posted amid a sharp surge in violent rhetoric targeting immigration officers nationwide. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons warned that the agency has documented an “8,000% increase in death threats” against its personnel.

The Roman-Flores brothers’ posts allegedly singled out Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, a prominent spokesperson for DHS’s immigration enforcement efforts.

Authorities say the messages, shared publicly on X, combined anti-ICE language with explicit calls for violence, prompting what officials described as an urgent law-enforcement response.

Also Read: What is 'remigration'? Trump's call for ‘reverse migration’ prompts DHS response; sparks fears

Who are Ricardo and Emilio Roman-Flores?

Accused of issuing violent threats against DHS leadership, Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores and Emilio Roman-Flores face a range of charges stemming from the online posts, according to DHS.

One message cited in the DHS release read:“[The Second] Amendment is in place for moments like this. Shoot ICE on sight.”

Another post, allegedly from the other brother, repeated the same call: “Shoot ICE on sight.”

Authorities say the threats explicitly targeted Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, with additional posts calling for her to be tortured and killed. McLaughlin has been a frequent public defender of DHS operations and recently condemned such threats as “despicable,” according to Fox News.

Charges:

Emilio Roman-Flores faces counts of unlawful possession of an assault weapon, possession of prohibited weapons, conspiracy, terroristic threats, criminal coercion, threats, and cyber harassment.
Ricardo Antonio Roman-Flores is charged with conspiracy to make terroristic threats.

Both remain in custody with the Absecon Police Department.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Prakriti Deb
Prakriti Deb is a journalist at Hindustan Times Digital, where she is part of the US Desk. She works on stories related to American politics, crime, sports, entertainment and weather. She particularly enjoys covering political developments that have global ripples. Through her work, she aims to break down complex events in a way that feels simple and understandable. Before joining the Hindustan Times, she worked with The Indian Express Digital, where she covered world affairs. She holds a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication with a specialisation in Journalism, along with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. Outside the newsroom, Prakriti enjoys travelling and stepping out of her comfort zone. She finds her sense of being through storytelling in all its forms, including conversations, painting, theatre, dance and photography. She appreciates discussions that challenge her perspective and help her see the world a little differently.Read More

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