Former President Donald Trump has intervened to reverse an order suspending vehicle stops conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents targeting undocumented migrants. The directive to 'immediately' halt these stops was issued by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Tuesday, following deadly shootings involving ICE agents in Maine and Texas.
Trump criticized the pause in a Truth Social post on Wednesday, stating, "Once we do, we are playing right into the criminal's hands." He emphasized that the agency cannot afford to relinquish its powers, praising ICE officers. This public rebuke places Secretary Mullin in a vulnerable position, reminiscent of the fallout that led to the dismissal of his predecessor in March following similar immigration enforcement incidents.
The recent shootings have intensified public outcry, particularly from Democrats. Mullin's decision to pause vehicle stops came after discussions with Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins, who advocated for ceasing "non-urgent vehicle stops." Collins is currently facing re-election in a state that traditionally leans Democratic.
In Houston, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old father of three, was fatally shot by an ICE agent on July 7 while en route to work. Six days later, in Biddeford, Maine, agents attempting to surveil a residence fired on a car they claimed tried to flee, killing Joan Sebastian Duran Guerrero, a 26-year-old Colombian national. According to reports, the agent involved in the Maine shooting was a recent recruit. In both incidents, the individuals killed were not the primary targets of the operations, and agents involved were not equipped with body cameras. Homeland Security has stated that both drivers attempted to run over law enforcement, but has not yet provided evidence to support these claims.
The pause on vehicle stops has also drawn criticism from other figures. Tom Homan, identified as a "border czar," suggested on Tuesday that the pause was temporary and would not significantly reduce arrests. He described it as a "short-term review" to ensure agent safety and operational integrity before resuming standard practices.
Following the announcement of the pause, hundreds of protesters gathered across Maine, holding "ICE out" signs and chanting slogans outside Senator Collins's office. Similar demonstrations occurred in Houston, where thousands have protested Araujo's death, packing city council meetings to demand an investigation.
It remains unclear whether the Department of Homeland Security will immediately reverse Secretary Mullin's directive in light of Trump's public statement. The directives for the pause were communicated to ICE officers via email from senior Homeland Security leadership on Tuesday.