ICE pauses non-urgent vehicle stops after deadly Maine shooting
Key Points(5)
- According to reports, the change is temporary as ICE provides more training on vehicle-stop tactics for its officers.
- Vehicle stops will continue only for "serious criminal targets." The new guidance is for ICE agents under the Enforcement and Removal Operations, who oversee arrest and deportation of undocumented immigrations, CNN reported.
- The agents have been told to work with partner agencies to conduct a stop if carrying out a criminal warrant on an individual in a vehicle.
- Following the fatal shooting in Maine on Monday, Sen.
- Susan Collins said she urged Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to stop all "non-urgent" vehicle stops.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has temporarily paused non-urgent vehicle stops while officers receive additional training on vehicle-stop tactics, according to multiple reports.
Under the new guidance, vehicle stops will continue only when they involve "serious criminal targets."
The directive applies to ICE agents with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), the division responsible for arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants. According to CNN, agents have also been instructed to work with partner law enforcement agencies when carrying out criminal warrants involving individuals in vehicles.
The policy change follows the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Colombian national Joan Durán Guerrero during an ICE operation in Biddeford, Maine, on Monday.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said officers had been conducting surveillance at the home of an individual believed to be in the United States illegally who had a final order of removal. When officers attempted to stop a vehicle leaving the residence, the driver allegedly tried to flee.
"The vehicle attempted to flee the scene and fearing for public safety an officer discharged his weapon," DHS said in a statement.
Following the shooting, Maine Sen. Susan Collins said she urged Mullin to halt all non-urgent vehicle stops.
"I spoke with DHS Secretary Mullin last night and urged him to cease all non-urgent vehicle stops," Collins wrote on X.
DHS policy states that deadly force cannot be used solely to prevent a person from fleeing unless the individual poses a significant threat of death or serious physical harm to officers or others.
According to reports, the pause is temporary and will remain in effect while ICE provides additional training to officers on vehicle-stop procedures.
