ICE suspends most vehicle stops nationwide after immigrant deaths

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ordered a temporary suspension of most vehicle stops across the country. This directive follows recent fatal shootings involving immigrants in Texas and Maine during ICE operations.

Tom Homan, referred to as the "border czar," stated that the measure is "temporary" and intended to ensure agents receive further training on appropriate tactics. The order specifically applies to the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division, which handles civil arrests and deportations.

Homan clarified that the pause is not a permanent policy change but a "temporary pause" to ensure operations are conducted correctly. He emphasized that ICE arrests will continue, though the training curriculum for vehicle stops is extensive compared to that of Border Patrol.

The restriction does not apply to the National Security Investigations (HSI) office, which focuses on criminal investigations and can maintain its standard procedures. Vehicle stops are still permitted in two specific situations, though these are not detailed in the provided text.

The decision comes after two incidents: the July 7 shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, who was reportedly not the intended target of the ICE operation, and the July 13 shooting of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine.