Former Vice President Harris Condemns ICE Following Fatal Shooting

On Tuesday, former Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a Colombian man was shot and killed during an operation in Maine. This incident has drawn stark comparisons to Harris’s previous silence when undocumented immigrants were killed in high-profile cases.

Harris is calling for an “immediate, independent and transparent investigation” into the death of 26-year-old Joao Sebastian Guerrero. Guerrero was shot on Monday after attempting to escape ICE agents in his vehicle during an operation aimed at undocumented immigrants with final removal orders, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

“Joao Sebastian Guerrero should still be alive,” Harris stated on social media. “This is the second time in a week that ICE agents have killed someone who, by their own admission, was not the target of an operation. Now, Sebastian is dead, with his 3-year-old daughter witnessing this tragedy.”

Continuing her remarks, Harris said, “This is unacceptable in America. Whoever is responsible for the wrongdoing must be held accountable.”

Her comments quickly faced backlash online, with users highlighting her role in overseeing the Biden administration’s approach to addressing migration from Central America, a role often referred to as “border czar” by critics. During this administration, around 2 million individuals identified as “fugitives” entered the U.S. by crossing the border illegally and avoiding arrest.

As per the Department of Homeland Security, ICE agents were conducting surveillance at the last known address of an undocumented immigrant in Biddeford, Maine, when Guerrero allegedly fled the scene in his vehicle. The department stated that “as the vehicle attempted to flee, officers discharged their weapons out of concern for public safety.” Tragically, Guerrero succumbed to his injuries shortly after, with witnesses claiming he was driving towards the federal agents at the time he was shot.

Markwayne Mullin, the Homeland Security Secretary, confirmed that Guerrero was not the intended target of the operation. However, it was noted that he had crossed the border illegally in September 2023, and it’s unclear whether he was waiting for asylum. He had received a work permit in May 2025, although a work permit doesn’t grant legal status in the U.S.

The deaths of two other individuals, Laken Riley and Rachel Morin, who were killed by undocumented immigrants, have been cited by some critics who feel Harris and other Democrats were too silent regarding American victims of illegal immigration. During an interview in 2024, Harris only acknowledged the pain these families faced after being prompted by a news host.

In her comments, she described those incidents as “tragic events,” expressing empathy for the victims’ families without directly addressing the systemic issues surrounding immigration enforcement. Many observers have pointed to the Angell family, whose loved ones were victims of illegal immigrants, highlighting their advocacy for tougher border security alongside various Republican figures.

Harris also made a statement after the shooting of another individual, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, in Houston, attempting to connect with the community over the implications of such tragic events.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and Harris for further comments on these incidents.