Federal immigration agents shot at a woman they say was attempting to use her vehicle to run down officers in the Chicago area on Saturday, calling it the latest in an escalating string of violence against those trying to carry out President Trump’s immigration plans.

Homeland Security described the attack as an ambush.

They said Border Patrol agents were patrolling when their government vehicle was boxed in and rammed by civilian cars. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said agents had to abandon their vehicle and that’s when they confronted Marimar Martinez, who they said was armed.

Agents delivered “defensive shots” that left Ms. Martinez wounded and caused her to drive to the hospital, Ms. McLaughlin said.

No federal agents were hurt.

Ms. McLaughlin said Ms. Martinez was flagged in an intelligence bulletin last week for releasing personal information on federal agents.

The FBI now has custody of Ms. Martinez.

Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, a driver of one of the other vehicles, has also been picked up by law enforcement.

Homeland Security blamed Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for contributing to the situation, saying he has blocked local authorities from helping control unruly crowds that have clashed with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel at a facility just west of Chicago.

The department said Secretary Kristi Noem has sent special operations teams “to restore law and order.”

Ms. Martinez was identified as a U.S. citizen.

Resisting arrest has long been an issue in ICE and Border Patrol arrests of illegal immigrants, but The Washington Times has reported that Americans jumping in to try to foil those arrests has become a worrying trend in the new Trump administration.

Ms. McLaughlin labeled those involved in Saturday’s attack “domestic terrorists.”

“These attacks on our brave law enforcement officers must end,” she said.

• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.