ICE Traffic Stops Resume After Two Unarmed Men Killed
You are driving to work when a federal agent pulls you over — and you are not the person they are looking for. That is exactly what happened to two men in July 2026, and both were shot dead. Now, after a brief pause, ICE traffic stops are back.
Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was shot and killed by ICE agents in Houston on July 7, 2026. Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero was shot and killed in Maine on July 14. Neither man was the intended target of the operation. Neither was armed. In both cases, the agents involved wore no body cameras. Within days, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) quietly told federal officers to temporarily stop pulling drivers over.
Trump reversed the pause within 24 hours
The halt lasted less than a day. On July 15, President Trump posted on Truth Social ordering ICE to continue traffic stops, calling them "one of I.C.E.'s most important and effective Crime Fighting tools." He made no mention of either killing. Border czar Tom Homan described the earlier pause as temporary, pending a possible review and retraining of agents. A DHS spokesperson said only that officials are "always evaluating our procedures" and declined to discuss tactics. Fox News reported the pause had already included an exception for what officials called "the most egregious criminal aliens" — meaning it was never a full ban to begin with.
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Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
Five of the 11 people shot dead by federal immigration officers since Trump's second term began were in their vehicles at the time. DHS has repeatedly claimed that vehicle occupants "weaponized" their cars against agents. But witness video and attorney accounts have challenged that explanation in both the Houston and Maine cases. In Houston, men in Salgado's van told their attorney that no officer was ever in the vehicle's path and that shots came from the sides. In Maine, Durán's wife and young daughter reportedly witnessed the aftermath. Civil rights groups, including the National Police Accountability Project and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, have called both shootings extrajudicial killings and urged Congress to freeze ICE's funding.
What to do
- Know your rights during a traffic stop: You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status. Calmly say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent."
- Do not run or make sudden movements. Keep your hands visible. Sudden movements have been cited — accurately or not — in past ICE shooting justifications.
- If you are detained, ask clearly: "Am I free to go?" If the answer is no, say you want to speak with a lawyer before answering any questions.
- Write down everything you remember as soon as possible — badge numbers, vehicle descriptions, what was said. This information matters if you need to file a complaint or if the stop leads to removal proceedings.
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Deportation Defense”.
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During any ICE encounter — including a traffic stop — you have a Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures, and a Fifth Amendment right to stay silent. Do not hand over documents beyond what your state requires for a traffic stop (driver's license, registration, insurance) without speaking to an attorney first. If you or a family member is detained, an immigration lawyer can file an emergency motion to prevent removal while the circumstances are reviewed — consult one as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE legally pull me over in a traffic stop?
Federal agents, including ICE officers, can conduct traffic stops if they have reasonable suspicion of a violation. However, they cannot detain you longer than necessary without legal justification. You have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer.
Do I have to tell ICE my immigration status during a traffic stop?
No. You have the right to remain silent about your immigration status. Calmly say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent." You do not have to answer questions about where you were born or how you entered the US.
What happens if ICE arrests me during a traffic stop?
You may be taken to an ICE detention facility. You have the right to contact a lawyer. An immigration attorney can request a bond hearing — a court proceeding where a judge decides whether you can be released while your case is reviewed. Do not sign any documents without speaking to a lawyer first.
What should my family do if I am detained by ICE?
Call an immigration lawyer immediately. You can also call the ICE detainee locator (1-888-351-4024) to find out where a detained person is being held. An attorney can file emergency motions to stop a deportation while your case is pending.