In a significant shift, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ordered a temporary halt to most vehicle stops following two fatal shootings in Texas and Maine. This decision comes amid growing scrutiny of the agency’s enforcement methods and calls for improved training and accountability.
The pause in vehicle stops was directed by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin after consultations with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. Collins urged the cessation of non-urgent vehicle stops in light of the recent incidents, which have sparked public outcry and demands for independent investigations.
Recent Incidents Spark Policy Change
On July 13, 2026, Johan Sebastián Guerrero, a 26-year-old Colombian national, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Biddeford, Maine. Guerrero was not the target of the operation, which aimed to apprehend another individual with a final order of removal. According to witnesses, Guerrero attempted to flee the scene, leading to the fatal shooting.
Less than a week earlier, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old Mexican national, was killed by an ICE agent in Houston during a vehicle stop. Both incidents involved individuals who were not the primary targets of the operations, raising concerns about the use of vehicle stops in immigration enforcement.
Temporary Pause and Training Review
The temporary halt in vehicle stops is expected to last while ICE officers undergo additional training. The agency will continue to use vehicle stops in cases involving serious criminal targets or when working with local law enforcement under the 287(g) program.
Tom Homan, a top White House immigration official, confirmed the temporary nature of the pause, emphasizing that it is not a policy change but a review of recent incidents. “It is not a policy change, it is a temporary pause,” Homan stated on Fox News. “Look – last couple of shootings, ICE leadership along with DHS wants to look at these last couple incidents and look, is there something that could have been done better? Is there any training that could be improved?”
Public and Political Reactions
The suspension of vehicle stops has drawn mixed reactions from the public and political figures. Sen. Susan Collins expressed encouragement over the temporary measure, while Rep. Christian Menefee, D-Texas, called for more permanent changes, including the abolition of ICE.
“A temporary training won’t solve a deeply ingrained problem,” Menefee stated. “ICE has been radicalized. Its agents have shot and killed unarmed people across the country. The agency needs to be torn down to the studs.”
Protests erupted in both Biddeford and Houston following the shootings, with local officials calling for independent investigations. The lack of body cameras worn by the officers involved has further fueled demands for transparency and accountability.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not disclosed specific details about the review process but emphasized its commitment to evaluating procedures to ensure officer safety and public security. “We are always evaluating our procedures to keep our officers safe and criminals off our streets,” a DHS spokesperson stated.
As ICE reviews its vehicle stop procedures, the temporary pause highlights the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement tactics and the need for balanced approaches that prioritize both public safety and human rights.
