Report Finds ICE Misused Crowd Control Weapons 412 Times at Immigration Protests in One Year

A recent report reveals that officers from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) misused crowd control weapons against protesters 412 times over the course of one year during immigration protests in the United States. The analysis was conducted by the Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and the Human Rights Center at the University of California, Berkeley (HRC).

On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, John Sandweg, the former acting director of ICE, stated that the agency should pause conducting traffic stops, a practice it has temporarily suspended. Sandweg emphasized, “I think it is absolutely time that we take a hard look, if not a moratorium on vehicular stops, until such time as we can [assess further].”

The findings and calls for review highlight ongoing concerns about ICE's enforcement methods at immigration protests and during routine operations.

Sources

• The Hill: Former acting ICE director on vehicle stops: ‘Time we take a hard look’
• The Hill: ICE misused crowd control weapons against protesters 412 times within 1 year: Analysis