ICE Pauses Vehicle Stops After Two Deadly Shootings
You are on your way to work when an ICE officer pulls you over — and the encounter turns fatal. That happened twice in one week in 2026, in Texas and Maine, and now federal immigration officials have been ordered to pause vehicle stops nationwide. Here is what happened, and what it means if ICE approaches your car.
You are driving to work. An ICE officer pulls you over — and you never make it home. That is what happened to Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, Texas, on July 7, 2026, and to Joan Sebastian Guerrero in Maine on July 14, 2026. Both men were shot and killed by ICE officers during vehicle stops. Both officers were not wearing body cameras.
After those two deaths, federal immigration officials received instructions to stop pulling over vehicles until further notice, according to a homeland security source who spoke to The Guardian. Fox News and CNN both confirmed the order went out nationwide. Fox News reported the pause is temporary, lasting until ICE officers complete new training on vehicle stops. ICE told The Guardian that additional training for new officers — including for high-risk vehicle stops — began in July 2026, with follow-up training planned for officers already in the field.
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A Pattern of Deadly Stops
The two shootings are part of a broader pattern. Federal immigration officers — from ICE and Customs and Border Protection — have shot and killed 11 people since January 2025. Five of those people, including Salgado and Guerrero, were in their vehicles when they were killed. In most cases, DHS claimed the victims had "weaponized" their vehicles against officers. Video footage from several incidents later cast doubt on those claims. One of the most high-profile cases was the January 2026 killing of Renee Good, a US citizen, shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. Communities, lawmakers, and civil liberties groups have called for independent investigations into the shootings. DHS spokesperson told The Guardian: "We are always evaluating our procedures to keep our officers safe and criminals off our streets. We will not disclose or discuss law enforcement tactics."
What to Do If ICE Stops Your Vehicle
- Stay calm. Keep your hands visible. Do not make sudden movements.
- You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status. Say clearly: "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
- Do not sign any documents without speaking to an immigration lawyer first.
- After any encounter with ICE — whether or not you were detained — contact an immigration attorney as soon as possible to document what happened and protect your rights.
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Under the Fourth Amendment, you have the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures — that applies to vehicle stops by ICE just as it does to police. If an officer stops your car, you are not required to answer questions about your immigration status, and anything you say can be used against you in removal proceedings. If you believe your rights were violated during a stop, an attorney can help you file a complaint and potentially use that violation as a defense in immigration court — consult an immigration lawyer before your next court date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE legally pull over my car?
Yes, ICE officers can conduct vehicle stops, but they must have legal justification — just like police. The current pause on vehicle stops is a temporary internal policy, not a law, and it can be lifted at any time.
Do I have to tell ICE my immigration status if they stop my car?
No. You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about where you were born or how you entered the US. Say clearly: "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
What should I do if ICE shoots or injures someone during a stop?
Call 911 immediately for medical help. Then contact an immigration attorney and a civil rights organization. Document everything — names, badge numbers, time, location, and any witnesses. Civil liberties groups can help you file a complaint or pursue legal action.
Does this pause in vehicle stops mean ICE will stop arresting people?
No. The pause applies only to vehicle stops. ICE continues to carry out arrests and deportations through other means. The suspension is temporary and is expected to end once officers complete new training.