Immigration and Customs Enforcement is halting most vehicle stops tied to immigration enforcement following two deadly shootings in the United States, according to multiple reports citing Homeland Security officials and other sources. The incidents occurred about six days apart: one in Houston, Texas, where an ICE agent fatally shot a man in a vehicle, and another in coastal Maine, where an agent fatally shot a man in Biddeford during a traffic stop. Reports say neither victim was the target of an immigration-enforcement operation, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Several outlets report that federal officials have instructed ICE agents to stop conducting most vehicle pullovers until further notice. Some coverage also indicates limited exceptions may be allowed, such as stops aimed at the “most egregious” criminal cases, though details vary by account. The policy change is also prompting calls from some lawmakers and commentators for independent investigations and accountability. Homeland Security released statements after the shootings, and further information about the circumstances and targets of the stops is discussed across the different reports.
