ICE memo lays out limits on vehicle stops
The agency claimed the memo makes "no changes" to vehicle stops.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is laying out its policy on which officers can stop vehicles, and what is required to do when they're stopped, according to a memo obtained by ABC News and sources familiar with the change.
Formal guidance was issued to officers this week, sources said. This comes after several high-profile vehicle stops ended in shootings.
A Sept. 30 memo, which "amends" the agency's handbook for fugitive operations and "supersedes" previously issued guidance, states: "Effective immediately, only Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) offices who have successfully completed" certain of the agency's training courses "are permitted to conduct traditional vehicle stops, and call-back vehicle stops, commonly known as high-risk or felony vehicle stops."
Others who aren't properly trained can offer assistance, but cannot be the main officer in charge of the stop. In addition, only officers that have lights and sirens on their government-issued vehicles are allowed to stop cars, according to the sources.
The memo also states: "Under no circumstances are officers authorized to engage in vehicle pursuits or PIT maneuvers for vehicles that fail to pull over." Instead, officers are instructed to obtain vehicle information for further investigation.
An ICE spokesperson claimed the guidance is "nothing new."
"Occasionally, ICE leadership issues guidance reminders to law enforcement officers," the spokesperson said in the statement. "This memo makes no changes to how ICE conducts vehicle stops. ALL officers have always received vehicle stop training."
The statement added: "Vehicle stops and arrests of illegal aliens continue."
Earlier this summer, in the wake of two back-to-back fatal shootings -- one in Texas and one in Maine -- Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin temporarily paused traffic stops as ICE officers were set to receive new training.
However, President Donald Trump and others were reportedly furious about the pause, and Trump later overturned it, according to multiple sources at the time.
The new guidance doesn't prohibit vehicle stops, according to sources.
ABC News has reached out to DHS for comment on the new policy.
The new changes were first reported by CNN.
Last month, A Venezuelan migrant delivering for DoorDash was shot by an ICE officer in Austin, Texas.
Wilber Rafael Garces-Perez has been charged with assaulting, resisting and impeding a federal officer.
The criminal complaint alleges that during a traffic stop, immigration officers asked Wilber Garces-Perez "to place his vehicle in park and step out--orders which he allegedly ignored."
The complaint alleges Garces-Perez led them on a high-speed chase before one of the officers "caught up to Garces-Perez, who allegedly attempted to strike the officer with his car, causing the officer to fire his pistol."
Attorneys for Garces-Perez said he still has a bullet lodged in his back.
Editor's note: This story has been updated.
Related Topics
Popular Reads
ABC News Live