ICE told to halt most vehicle stops after pair of fatal shootings
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has suspended most vehicle stops following two fatal shootings involving agents in Texas and Maine. The policy shift comes amid intense scrutiny regarding the agency's use of force and operational conduct.
Why it matters
This represents a significant policy change for a federal law enforcement agency in response to public and political pressure regarding civil rights and safety.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been told to immediately halt most vehicle stops nationwide, following a pair of fatal shootings in Texas and Maine involving ICE agents.
The suspension will apply to most circumstances except cases involving serious criminal targets, according to US media reports citing unnamed law enforcement sources.
It marks a major policy shift for the agency, which has faced criticism in the past year over allegations of excessive use of force and scrutiny over deaths that have occurred during its operations.
The BBC has contacted the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comment on the new policy.
In the most recent incident, an ICE agent fatally shot a 26-year-old Colombian national during an immigration enforcement operation in Maine.
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