ICE Vehicle Stops and Temporary Suspension

During a recent episode of FOX News Channel’s “The Will Cain Show,” Tom Homan, who is in charge of border issues, discussed ICE vehicle stops. He described most of these stops as “pause stops,” but he doesn’t believe this impacts arrests. He mentioned that individuals can be arrested outside their homes even before getting into a vehicle, and authorities can wait until the vehicle reaches a specific location for the arrest. Homan emphasized that there has been a staggering increase of over 3400% in vehicle assaults, implying that it’s sometimes necessary to arrest individuals outside their cars to mitigate risks.

Homan explained that the recent decision was made by ICE leadership, characterizing it as a temporary suspension rather than a policy change. He referenced past mass shootings, suggesting that ICE and DHS are evaluating their recent actions to identify areas for improvement, including potential training enhancements. Homan believes that while ICE is trained for vehicle stops, they are currently pausing to review the situation more thoroughly. He is confident that this will be a brief interruption.

He reiterated, “Once the individual leaves their house, they can be arrested before getting into the vehicle, or once they reach their destination.” Homan acknowledged that every case is different, and the rise in vehicular assaults raises significant concerns. He noted the importance of the context in which these stops occur, as stopping a criminal in a crowded area presents unique challenges. Ultimately, Homan does not anticipate that this temporary suspension will significantly hinder arrests, given the options law enforcement has for apprehending individuals at various stages. From his discussions with the ICE director, he understands this pause is a precaution to ensure procedures are sound.