ICE Bars Officers From Chasing Vehicles That Refuse to Stop Under New Guidance

Federal agents pull over a car (L) after an alleged collision with them on the highway in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on February 3, 2026. A US judge on January 31, 2026 denied Minnesota's bid to force Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to suspend its sweeping detention and deportation operation in the state that has left two US citizens dead and fueled massive protests. (Credit: Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued formal guidance restricting which officers can conduct vehicle stops and prohibiting pursuits of drivers who refuse to pull over, months after two traffic-stop operations ended with people who were not the intended targets being fatally shot.

Under a Sept. 30 memo obtained by ABC News, only Enforcement and Removal Operations officers who have completed specified training may conduct traditional or high-risk vehicle stops. Officers without that training can assist but cannot lead the stop, while vehicles used to initiate stops must be equipped with lights and sirens.