ALERT: ICE Bans High-Speed Pursuits Following Fatal Shootings

New internal ICE guidelines prohibit high-speed vehicle pursuits. They also restrict who can conduct vehicle stops during operations. The measure comes after several incidents involving agent shootings.

What does the new ICE memorandum prohibit?

According to the memorandum, which The Associated Press obtained, agents can no longer pursue vehicles that refuse to stop. This applies under any circumstance, according to the document.

Instead, they must record the vehicle’s information for later investigation. The memorandum is signed by Marcos D. Charles, ICE deputy executive director, dated Wednesday.

Why was this memorandum issued?

The new guidelines come after ICE intensified traffic stops. Several immigrants refused to cooperate or attempted to flee, resulting in shootings.

According to reports, ICE agents have fired shots in more than a dozen similar incidents since last year. Those incidents resulted in at least four people dead and several wounded.

The Trump administration has faced internal tensions over how to handle these traffic stops. They are considered high-risk encounters for both agents and civilians.

What happened with traffic stops in July?

Following fatal shootings in Maine and Texas in July, orders were issued to temporarily suspend most vehicle stops. However, the next day, Trump asked on social media that they continue.

In that post, he described these stops as «one of ICE’s most important and effective tools.» According to him, they are key to combating crime in the country.

So far, neither ICE nor DHS responded immediately about the new guidelines.

What new safety measures does ICE require?

The memorandum seeks to improve safety during vehicle stops. This applies to agents as well as drivers, passengers, and the general public.

According to the document, vehicles used for stops must have visible lights and sirens. Additionally, all officers present must carry and activate their body cameras.

Only agents who completed one of five specific training courses can conduct vehicle stops. Those who have not completed them may only participate as support, without driving the vehicles.

What is «pinning» and is it still allowed?

According to the memorandum, agents can still use a technique known as «pinning.» It is defined as the use of a vehicle or physical barrier to trap a car.

However, only agents with special training for that technique can apply it. The same applies to the use of spike strips that deflate tires.

What did the Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez case reveal?

The memorandum became known on the same day a court revealed details of a related case. It involves a pursuit and shooting that occurred in Austin last month.

During a bail hearing, testimonies indicated that the agent who fired did not have an active body camera. Another officer did have one, but turned it off during the pursuit, according to what was revealed at the hearing.

According to prosecutors, surveillance video showed an agent pursuing Garcés Pérez at high speed. This occurred through residential streets, after an initial traffic stop.

What charges does Garcés Pérez face?

According to investigators, Garcés Pérez struck an ICE agent with his car’s side mirror. That officer then fired at the vehicle, wounding him in the back.