ICE Crowd Control Weapons: 412 Incidents at Protests

ICE Used Crowd Control Weapons 412 Times at Protests

At least 412 times in less than a year, federal and local law enforcement fired teargas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray at people protesting immigration enforcement across the US. A new report by Physicians for Human Rights and UC Berkeley's Human Rights Center puts a number to what many protesters experienced firsthand — and the injuries are severe. Two more people were shot and killed by federal immigration officials this week alone.

Today·2 min read

Federal and local law enforcement used teargas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray at least 412 times against protesters at immigration demonstrations between June 2025 and May 2026. That is the finding of a new report released this week by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and the Human Rights Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Researchers documented 203 confirmed injuries — including blindings, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and lacerations — and warned the real number is likely far higher.

DHS officials, including ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, were responsible for 64% of all documented misuse incidents. Local and state law enforcement accounted for much of the rest. The report found that over 90% of incidents happened in five cities: Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, Newark, and Portland. Researchers also linked spikes in weapon use to federal immigration surge operations led by former Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino, who retired in March 2026 after two US citizens were fatally shot by federal immigration officials in Minneapolis.

The report's lead author, Dr. Rohini Haar of PHR, told the Guardian that "misuse" was defined by three criteria: targeting people in protected categories like journalists and health workers; affecting vulnerable groups including children and elderly people; and using weapons improperly — such as firing at close range or aiming at people's heads. A separate ProPublica report earlier this year identified 70 children harmed by teargas or pepper spray, not only at protests but during immigration enforcement operations. The violence has not stopped: on July 7, ICE agents shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old construction worker, in Houston. On July 14, a 26-year-old Colombian man was shot and killed by a federal official in Biddeford, Maine — less than one week later.

What protesters and immigrants near demonstrations should know

If you attend a protest near an ICE detention center or enforcement operation, document everything: record video, note badge numbers, and photograph any injuries immediately.
If you or someone nearby is injured by teargas, rubber bullets, or pepper spray, seek medical attention right away and keep all medical records — these may be needed for any future legal claim.
Journalists and health workers have protected status under international human rights standards; if you were targeted in one of those roles, contact a civil rights attorney as soon as possible.
If you are an immigrant and were arrested at or near a protest, contact an immigration lawyer before your first court appearance — an arrest can affect removal proceedings, asylum applications, and green card eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can attending an immigration protest affect my green card application or removal case?

Attending a protest is generally protected by the First Amendment. However, if you were arrested — even if charges were later dropped — that arrest can come up in immigration court. Tell your immigration lawyer about any arrest right away.

What should I do if I was hit by teargas or rubber bullets at a protest?

Get medical care immediately and keep all records. Document the date, location, and what happened. If a federal agent was involved, you may be able to file a complaint with the DHS Office of Inspector General. A civil rights attorney can advise you on next steps.

Are journalists and health workers protected from crowd control weapons at protests?

Under international human rights standards, journalists and medical workers have protected status and should not be targeted. The PHR report specifically tracked incidents where these groups were targeted as part of its definition of 'misuse.' If you were targeted in one of these roles, document it and contact a civil rights attorney.

Who was responsible for most of the crowd control weapon incidents documented in the report?

DHS agencies — mainly ICE and CBP — were responsible for 64% of all documented misuse incidents. Local and state law enforcement were involved in the remaining cases, particularly in cities like Los Angeles.