White House Affirms Continuation of ICE Vehicle Stops Amid Controversy

During a press briefing held in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 16, 2026, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the media regarding ongoing practices by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Citing recent events, Leavitt clarified that ICE will continue to conduct vehicle stops, despite previous reports suggesting a pause following the fatal shootings of two immigrants by ICE agents in early July.

Senator Angus King’s office, I-Maine, had initially confirmed to NPR that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was planning a policy shift. However, in response to these reports, President Trump insisted through a post on Truth Social that vehicle stops should remain ongoing. He emphasized the significance of these actions as effective crime-fighting tools, asserting, “We CANNOT give up one of I.C.E.’s most important and effective Crime Fighting tools, THE TRAFFIC STOP! Once we do, we are playing right into the criminal’s hands.”

Leavitt reiterated the president’s stance at the briefing, stating, “Vehicle stops are continuing.” She noted that verbal guidance was provided to field offices nationwide by the DHS. According to Leavitt, both the president and the Secretary of Homeland Security view vehicle stops as essential for ICE agents in deporting criminal aliens.

NPR reached out to DHS for clarification on the policy but was referred back to White House remarks. Issues surrounding ICE vehicle stops have been further complicated by recent incidents. Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, an immigrant from Mexico, was shot in Houston after agents tried to stop his van, which the DHS claims he used as a weapon. However, passengers in the van contest this narrative.

In a similar event in Maine, ICE attempted to pull over Joan Durán Guerrero, a Colombian national. He was shot by an agent while attempting to flee, according to DHS statements. The department stated, “The vehicle attempted to flee the scene and fearing for public safety an officer discharged his weapon,” yet it has not supplied evidence supporting the claims.

Another incident occurred on Tuesday in St. Augustine, Florida, where a man was fatally struck by a tractor-trailer while running from an ICE vehicle stop. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) acknowledged the event but has not provided additional information.