The article explores how Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents often avoid criminal charges after shootings, despite evidence of misconduct.
After Ross fired multiple times at Good’s car, various news outlets examined videos of the event. These videos show different details than the White House and Department of Homeland Security report. They claim Ross acted in self-defense, but the evidence suggests otherwise.
Despite clear contradictions, ICE agents have never faced criminal charges for their shootings. I spent four years looking into these incidents from 2015 to 2021 across three presidential administrations. I sued ICE for records related to these shootings, which took two years to settle. Then, I compared this information with media reports, expert interviews, and many official requests for investigation details.
ICE agent shootings often involved moving cars, resulting in at least 10 deaths and six injuries. Agents shot at public places 22 times, harming innocent bystanders. In some cases, the person shot by an ICE officer was not the intended target.
The Same Defense
ICE and its agents often claim self-defense after shootings, which is hard to challenge. Mike Alvarez, an ICE spokesperson, stated that deadly force is justified when it is “objectively reasonable and necessary.”
Mike German, a former federal agent, explained that law enforcement officers can create risky situations, but this doesn’t impact how a prosecutor views their actions. Prosecutors usually support law enforcement, believing their fears justify their actions.
Some shooting victims were seen with weapons. However, ICE reports noted that a suspect’s body parts were labeled as weapons. Evidence shows that many victims were unarmed.
Investigations into federal agent shootings rarely lead to charges. Results are rarely made public. According to German, these investigations nearly always find agents acted lawfully.