ICE told to halt most vehicle stops after pair of fatal shootings

July 15, 2026

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been ordered to immediately suspend most vehicle stops across the country following two fatal shootings involving ICE agents in Texas and Maine. The temporary pause applies to all circumstances except operations targeting serious criminals, representing a notable operational change for an agency already facing criticism over excessive force allegations. White House border adviser Tom Homan characterized the suspension as a brief pause for leadership review rather than a permanent policy shift, while President Trump publicly opposed abandoning traffic stops as an enforcement tool.

Who is affected

ICE agents nationwide who conduct vehicle stops
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo (52-year-old Mexican national killed in Houston, Texas)
Joan Sebastian Guerrero (26-year-old Colombian national killed in Biddeford, Maine)
Families of both shooting victims
Immigrant communities across the United States
Passengers who were in the van with Araujo
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin and other lawmakers
Immigration advocacy groups (Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition and Presente! Maine)
Protesters demonstrating against the shootings

What action is being taken

ICE has halted most vehicle stops nationwide (except for cases involving serious criminal targets)
White House border tsar Tom Homan is conducting a short-term review of procedures
The agency's legal watchdog has opened an investigation into the fatal Houston shooting
Protests are taking place in response to both shootings

Why it matters

This represents a significant tactical shift for ICE amid mounting criticism over excessive use of force and deaths during operations. The suspension affects one of the agency's primary enforcement tools, potentially impacting its ability to conduct immigration enforcement operations while raising questions about officer training and accountability. The controversy has intensified national debate over immigration enforcement practices, with Democratic lawmakers claiming ICE is not following proper policing protocols and creating widespread fear in immigrant communities. The conflict between operational changes and President Trump's stated opposition also highlights tension within the administration over enforcement methods.

What's next

The pause will be brief to allow leadership to conduct a short-term review of procedures and vehicle-stop training before resuming operations.

Read full article from source: BBC