ICE halts most vehicle stops after Maine, Texas shootings, sources say
ICE Implements Temporary Suspension of Vehicle Stops Following Fatal Shootings
ICE halts most vehicle stops after - Law enforcement sources confirmed to CBS News on Tuesday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued an immediate directive to pause the majority of vehicle stops across the country during enforcement operations. This significant policy adjustment comes in response to two separate fatal shootings that occurred within the past week in Texas and Maine. The suspension will remain in effect while officers receive supplementary instruction regarding proper vehicle-stop procedures.
Scope and Duration of the Pause
According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, the new guidance specifically targets ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, the division charged with civil immigration arrests and deportations. The directive does not extend to Homeland Security Investigations, which focuses primarily on criminal investigations rather than immigration enforcement. This distinction ensures that ongoing criminal cases continue without interruption while immigration-related vehicle stops face temporary restrictions.
Trump administration border czar Tom Homan addressed the situation later on Tuesday during an appearance on Fox News. He emphasized that the suspension represents more than just a momentary hesitation.
It's not a policy change. It's a temporary pause,
Homan explained to viewers. The administration leadership, including the Department of Homeland Security, intends to thoroughly examine the recent incidents to determine whether alternative approaches might have prevented the tragedies. Homan expressed confidence that ICE officers possess adequate training and that operations will resume normally once the review concludes.
Exceptions and Continued Operations
Under the revised guidelines, Enforcement and Removal Operations personnel retain the ability to conduct vehicle stops when collaborating with partner law enforcement agencies. These exceptions apply specifically to situations involving criminal suspects who are subjects of judicial warrants. This provision ensures that high-priority targets are not overlooked during the temporary suspension period.
The operational implications of this decision could prove substantial. Vehicle stops have emerged as one of the most frequently employed tactics within ICE enforcement activities under the current administration. This approach enables officers to identify, track, and apprehend individuals away from their residences or places of employment, potentially reducing confrontations in residential neighborhoods.
The Maine Shooting Incident
The most recent tragedy occurred in Biddeford, Maine, on Monday morning at approximately 7 a.m. ET. Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian national residing in the United States without legal authorization, was fatally shot when he attempted to escape the scene. According to the Department of Homeland Security, an officer discharged their weapon after fearing for public safety during the encounter.
Although Durán Guerrero was not the primary target of the operation, ICE agents attempted to pull over his vehicle while conducting surveillance on the last known address of a different undocumented individual who had received a final order of removal. The incident has prompted calls for thorough examination from Maine's congressional delegation.
Independent Senator Angus King spoke to CBS News on Tuesday, advocating for an investigation that extends beyond federal oversight.
I want a full, fair, open, transparent investigation of this, not strictly run by the feds,
King stated. He noted that federal agencies currently lack sufficient credibility in the eyes of Maine residents. Republican Senator Susan Collins also contacted DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, urging him to suspend non-urgent vehicle stops until the Biddeford shooting investigation reaches completion.
The Houston Shooting
Just six days before the Maine incident, a nearly identical situation unfolded in Houston. Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed by ICE officers who had stopped his vehicle while searching for a different person. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that officers had received a credible tip from law enforcement partners and were conducting surveillance on a target's residence. They had observed two white vans at the property weeks earlier.
On July 7, officers approached the target's address and spotted a white van containing an individual who resembled their subject of interest. They initiated a vehicle stop, and DHS initially reported that Salgado Araujo was being targeted for illegal residence. The department alleged that he ignored several verbal commands and attempted to strike an officer, prompting the officer to fire in self-defense.
However, Salgado Araujo's family has stated that he possessed no criminal record and was nearing approval for a work permit after residing in the United States for over thirty years without legal status. The circumstances surrounding both shootings have intensified scrutiny of ICE's vehicle-stop procedures and raised questions about officer training and decision-making protocols.