Within the span of one week, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents fatally shot two individuals during traffic stop attempts in the United States, prompting renewed scrutiny of the agency’s policing tactics and training. The incidents involved 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston and 26-year-old Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine. Both cases, along with other shootings connected to vehicle stops, have raised questions among law enforcement experts about ICE’s adherence to established protocols.

Traffic stops are routine law enforcement procedures but are recognized as inherently volatile situations that require specific safety measures. Standard policing guidelines typically advise officers to avoid placing themselves directly in a vehicle’s path, to refrain from escalating the situation, and to avoid firing into moving vehicles unless there is an immediate threat to life. Critics argue that ICE agents frequently disregard these principles during enforcement actions.

A review found that ICE has been involved in at least 17 shootings involving vehicles over the past 18 months. In a separate fatal incident earlier this year, Renee Good, a U.S. citizen in Minnesota, was killed in her car during a surge of ICE arrests. Several law enforcement professionals note that ICE officers appear to violate common traffic stop protocols, creating unnecessary risks for all parties involved.

Sean Smoot, chair of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board and a member of a presidential policing task force, described ICE’s handling of these stops as deficient and in some instances directly contradictory to Department of Homeland Security policies. “It appears that deadly force was used to prevent the escape of a fleeing subject, and that’s just simply a direct violation” of DHS policy, Smoot said.

Some local law enforcement officials have witnessed ICE agents initiating high-risk vehicle stops that escalate into dangerous situations. Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino described an incident where ICE vehicles engaged in aggressive maneuvers on a public road, creating hazardous conditions. He characterized some ICE enforcement tactics as “creating their own chaos” due to insufficient training for such operations.

Video evidence from various incidents has drawn additional concern. In the Biddeford case, footage suggests Durán Guerrero was shot before his vehicle moved into an intersection, with a witness reporting the man had said, “I tried to stop!” ICE stated the agent fired “fearing for public safety.” The agent involved, David Brouillette, was a recent ICE recruit with prior military and law enforcement experience. Experts warn that shooting at drivers can lead to catastrophic consequences, as the vehicle may become uncontrollable and pose greater risks to bystanders and officers.

Another point of contention is ICE’s use of unmarked vehicles and plainclothes agents during these stops, which can confuse civilians about whether they are being approached by law enforcement or unauthorized individuals. Video from Araujo’s case in Houston shows agents following in unmarked cars without lights or sirens.

The recent fatalities prompted a temporary suspension of most ICE vehicle stops ordered by officials within the Trump administration, described by border czar Tom Homan as a “short pause.” However, President Donald Trump swiftly reversed this directive via social media, emphasizing the importance of traffic stops as an enforcement tool.

Former ICE acting director John Sandweg and other experts advocate for a more comprehensive review and possible overhaul of ICE vehicle stop policies, citing patterns of excessive use of force and inadequate training. According to attorneys and former ICE personnel, enforcement quotas and shifting agency priorities have increased the frequency of interior arrests by ICE, potentially outpacing agents’ experience and preparedness for handling vehicle stops safely.

Law enforcement trainers emphasize that officers should only make high-risk stops or pursue arrests when the immediate threat justifies the potential dangers. In immigration enforcement, when suspects are not accused of violent crimes, experts argue that the urgency to arrest may not outweigh the risks involved in aggressive vehicle stops.

The debate surrounding ICE’s enforcement tactics remains ongoing, with federal investigations into the recent shootings underway. Meanwhile, calls persist for improved training, adherence to established policing standards, and reevaluation of operational priorities to prevent further loss of life during traffic-related enforcement actions.