ICE ordered its agents on Tuesday to cease vehicle stops in immigration enforcement activities following the fatal shooting of Joan Sebastian Guerrero, 26, of Colombia, in Biddeford on Monday.
[RELATED: Driver Killed After Allegedly Attempting to Run Over ICE Agents in Biddeford; Loud Protests Erupt…]
“While the investigation of the Biddeford shooting is not yet complete, it raises sufficient critical questions that I spoke with DHS Secretary Mullin last night and urged him to cease all non-urgent vehicle stops,” said Sen. Susan Collins on X on Tuesday.
The Daily Wire first reported the new directive, citing three unnamed Homeland Security sources, and FOX News later confirmed the reporting with statements from other unnamed federal sources.
According to those reports, ICE agents were instructed to stop making traffic stops immediately, except in cases where the suspect is also wanted on a criminal warrant.
Even in those cases, they will reportedly need to partner with another law enforcement agency to initiate the stop.
The change will severely limit ICE’s ability to arrest illegal immigrants, turning a vehicle into a haven for suspects. ICE has reportedly preferred to catch suspects during traffic stops rather than at their homes, where they are required to obtain a judicial warrant to enter and where suspects may have more access to weapons.
One unnamed ICE source reportedly expressed discontent to the Daily Wire that deportation numbers are going down, and that the agency has no power to correct that.
It is unclear whether there is a set duration for the new prohibition.
The decision appears to be a direct response to the shooting in Biddeford on Monday morning, which sparked a massive protest, including violent protesters who allegedly assaulted a Maine Wire reporter and attempted to force their way into Sen. Collins’ office.
After the shooting, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement, notably failing to confirm that the man who was killed was the target of the enforcement operation and conspicuously avoiding saying that the ICE agents involved were acting in self-defense.
“On July 13, 2026, at approximately 7:00 AM ET, ICE was conducting targeted surveillance on the last known address of an illegal alien with a final order of removal. An illegal alien departed the residence in a vehicle. 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,” said the DHS.
“The driver of the vehicle was struck, and emergency services were immediately contacted. He passed away from his injuries,” they added.
Arrest them at home then, another problem solved. I bet when they arrest them at home they will find more illegals living there Could be a big win for deporting even more Illegals.
Illegal still means illegal to me. Throwing rocks in the path of ICE making it harder for them to find and remove these illegals means we taxpaying Mainers lives are purposely placed in the danger zone. I know if the actions of an illegal put me in danger, it will be a huge lawsuit placed on the state, city or town where it were to occur. Money talks. Loudly.
“Even in those cases, they will reportedly need to partner with another law enforcement agency to initiate the stop.”
where were the Biddeford Police, the shooting was only a block from the police station. Or is Biddeford an unofficial hiding city?