White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed reporters during a press briefing in Washington, DC, affirming the ongoing practice of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle stops. This announcement follows recent incidents where ICE agents fatally shot immigrants, sparking significant public outcry.
Reports had emerged earlier in the week suggesting a pause on these stops after two immigrants were killed by ICE agents in early July. Sen. Angus King’s office initially confirmed to NPR that the Department of Homeland Security intended to modify this policy. However, President Trump took to Truth Social, asserting the importance of continuing these stops.
“We CANNOT give up one of I.C.E.’s most important and effective Crime Fighting tools, THE TRAFFIC STOP! Once we do, we are playing right into the criminal’s hands,” President Trump stated.
Leavitt reiterated this stance at her Thursday briefing, emphasizing the necessity of vehicle stops. Verbal guidance has been provided to all field offices nationwide by the Department of Homeland Security. This aligns both the president and the Secretary of Homeland Security on the belief that vehicle stops are crucial for ICE agents in managing the deportation of illegal alien criminals.
Questions remain regarding the recent fatal incidents. Last week, in Houston, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican immigrant, was shot by agents after allegedly trying to use his van as a weapon. This claim has been disputed by passengers in the van. Additionally, in Maine, Colombian national Joan Durán Guerrero was killed when ICE agents attempted to stop his car. DHS stated the vehicle tried to flee, prompting an officer to discharge his weapon, but provided no evidence.
Further adding to the controversy, an individual was fatally struck by a tractor-trailer in St. Augustine, Florida, while fleeing an ICE vehicle stop according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). Details surrounding this incident remain sparse, as FHP has not yet responded to requests for additional information.