Robyn Argote-Brooks allegedly came to the U.S. in October 2024 and was placed on parole status pending an immigration hearing. That status was lifted in April 2025.
SAN ANTONIO — Federal officials have identified the man who allegedly “rammed” into Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles in San Antonio this week, an incident that was caught on video and circulated by Fox News.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Robyn Argote-Brooks, a Cuban man allegedly in the U.S. illegally, “weaponized his vehicle against federal law enforcement” in the Tuesday confrontation outside the Walmart at 12639 Blanco Road, near Wurzbach Parkway.
ICE officers were trying to detain Argote-Brooks, federal records state, when he “rolled up his window and refused to come out” of his vehicle.” He allegedly then drove in reverse, causing ICE personnel “to jump out of the way” before Argote-Brooks crashed into an ICE vehicle.
He then allegedly accelerated forward and drove into the second ICE vehicle. DHS said an officer sitting in the front seat was injured before Argote-Brooke was taken into custody.
In the video aired by Fox News, agents are also seen drawing their guns and banging on the window before the driver exits the vehicle and is taken to the ground. The video cuts off shortly afterward.
Who is the suspect?
Federal arrest records show Argote-Brooks faces a charge of destruction of government property, which carries a potential punishment of up to 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.
According to an arrest affidavit, he entered the country in October 2024 and was issued a “notice to appear” while placed on parole status. That status was “terminated” in April 2025.
He’s scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday in San Antonio.
ICE agents were able to identify Argote-Brooks when they checked the license plate of his car and saw it was registered to him.
The incident comes amid rising tensions in the country over ICE’s objective and tactics after officers killed Renee Good in Minneapolis last week. That sparked a new wave of demonstrations in the U.S. in the days since, including San Antonio last weekend.
Protesters at that Saturday rally at Alamo Plaza said they believe the agent’s actions in Minnesota were overly excessive.
“That’s part of what our problem with ICE is in the first place,” said one San Antonio protester. “They’re not trained. They don’t want to de-escalate. They just want to be the aggressors.”
Enforcement concerns
Although the arrest occurred in San Antonio, social media posts circulating online have listed Castle Hills among places where ICE agents were “spotted,” heightening concern among residents.
Castle Hills Mayor J.R. Trevino said those claims are inaccurate and are being driven by misinformation.
“I think the biggest issue is there’s a lot of misinformation out there,” Trevino said. He added that residents have sent his office photos labeled “ICE in Castle Hills,” even though the images were taken outside city limits.
Trevino emphasized that Castle Hills has no formal agreements with ICE, and said the city has not been briefed on federal enforcement activity.
“We have no formal arrangements other than to support as legally necessary and make sure that if we’re showing up, it’s to de-escalate a situation,” Trevino said.
Castle Hills Police Chief Gary R. McHone issued a similar statement, saying the department has not entered into any voluntary cooperation agreements, including those under the federal 287(g) program.
Texas law now requires most counties to enter into agreements with ICE by the end of 2026 — a move supporters say improves public safety, but critics argue undermines community trust and raises civil rights concerns.
What have leaders said?
Governor Greg Abbott reacted to the video in a post on X, writing that “organized groups are obstructing immigration enforcement across the country, putting officers and law-abiding civilians at risk.”
Meanwhile, DHS says ICE officers are experiencing a 3,200% increase “in vehicle attacks against them.” The agency said Argote-Brooks entered the country during the Biden administration.
San Antonio City Councilwoman Misty Spears, whose district includes the Blanco and Wurzbach area, condemned violence against law enforcement officers while acknowledging heightened community concern.
“Regardless of anyone’s stance on immigration or their immigration status, violence against law enforcement officers is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our city,” Spears said in a statement.
San Antonio City Council, meanwhile, is scheduled to hold a public meeting Jan. 22 to address community concerns about increased ICE activity and how local police are involved. The meeting will be open for public comment.