ICE pauses vehicle stops amid fatal shootings, then reinstates them under Trump pressure

ICE agents were instructed to largely suspend vehicle stops after two U.S. citizens were killed during traffic stops in Houston and Biddeford, Maine. The directive, issued by Department of Homeland Security officials, came amid growing criticism from local leaders and members of Congress.

President Donald Trump reacted angrily to the pause, posting on Truth Social that ending traffic stops would hand "the criminal's hands" to offenders and urging the agency to resume the practice. Within days, ICE began restoring vehicle stops while also announcing new training measures.

The agency said it will extend training to 71 days for new recruits starting July 1 and provide additional courses on crowd control, high-risk vehicle stops, medical response and live-fire scenarios. A DHS spokesperson noted that training continues after academy graduation and is closely monitored.

Officials acknowledge that traffic stops are among the most dangerous police actions. Former ICE acting director John Sandweg said the lack of adequate training has heightened risks for both officers and suspects, and that the agency’s aggressive arrest targets have increased reliance on vehicle stops.

The recent shootings have sparked debate over the use of deadly force. ICE’s statements claim suspects attempted to flee or used their vehicles as weapons, explanations that have been disputed by witnesses and video evidence. Legal analysts and former ICE personnel have questioned whether the force was justified under DHS policy, which permits deadly force only when an officer reasonably believes there is an imminent threat of death or serious injury.