ICE halts nearly all traffic stops after fatal shootings in Maine, Texas

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has temporarily halted nearly all arrests made via vehicular traffic stops following recent fatal shootings in Maine and Texas, federal law enforcement sources confirmed to The Post Millennial. The pause will remain in effect until ICE agents have undergone more training.

The vast majority of targeted ICE arrests stem from traffic stops. According to sources familiar with the matter, agents will still be allowed to conduct traffic stops only for serious violent offenders.

It's unclear how long the policy shift will remain in place. Critics argued the move will significantly impact the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda.

A DHS source told Border Hawk reporter Wid Lyman, "If targeted traffic arrests are banned, ICE will effectively be ABOLISHED from within. Vehicle stops cover the vast majority of apprehensions - easily over 90% of total arrests."

The source criticized the decision as caving to left-wing anti-ICE politicians and activists, adding, "Difficult to comprehend conceding the nation to those who want us dead."

On Monday, an ICE agent shot and killed a Colombian illegal immigrant who had a final order of removal during an immigration enforcement operation in Biddeford, Maine. "ICE law enforcement attempted to conduct a vehicle stop. The vehicle attempted to flee the scene and, fearing for public safety, an officer discharged his weapon," the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement. The foreign national died at the scene.

An eyewitness recounted what he saw to a local Maine paper. "The car was put into drive and was trying to hit the ICE officer," he said, claiming that the illegal immigrant allegedly defied several orders to stop his vehicle. Video surveillance partially showing the incident has been released. An investigation remains ongoing.

Another fatal ICE-involved shooting occurred on July 7 in Houston, Texas. DHS said that a Mexican illegal immigrant allegedly attempted to ram ICE agents with a vehicle during a traffic stop, resulting in an agent opening fire in an act of self-defense. The subject was struck by gunfire and died from his injuries.

The new policy shift, the Daily Wire first reported, comes shortly after ICE decreased field work for roughly six months due to the partial DHS government shutdown, which stemmed from the two fatal January 2026 shootings that occurred during large-scale immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota.