The White House has confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will continue conducting traffic stops, despite recent fatal shootings involving immigrants. The decision follows earlier reports that the practice would be paused after two high-profile incidents in early July.
White House affirms ICE traffic stops policy
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated during a Thursday briefing that vehicle stops remain in effect, with verbal guidance issued to all field offices by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She emphasized that both President Trump and the DHS Secretary view traffic stops as a critical tool for deporting "the worst of the worst illegal alien criminals."
President Trump had earlier reiterated his stance on Truth Social, declaring that abandoning traffic stops would "play right into the criminal's hands." His post came hours after Sen. Angus King’s office confirmed to NPR that DHS had planned to halt the practice.
Recent fatal incidents spark controversy
In Houston, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican immigrant, was shot by ICE agents after allegedly attempting to use his van as a weapon during a traffic stop. Passengers in the vehicle have disputed this account. Similarly, in Maine, Colombian national Joan Durán Guerrero was fatally shot when agents claimed his car attempted to flee, though no evidence has been provided to support the claim.
A third incident occurred in St. Augustine, Florida, where a man was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer while fleeing an ICE vehicle stop. The Florida Highway Patrol has not released further details.
DHS has referred all inquiries to the White House, leaving the policy’s future unclear amid ongoing scrutiny.
