U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a temporary, nationwide order directing its officers to stop vehicle pursuits, NBC News NOW reported. The move pauses high-speed chases by ICE personnel while the agency reviews recent incidents and its pursuit policies.
The directive is described as temporary and applies across ICE field offices. Agency officials say the step is intended to reduce risks to officers, the public and people in custody while leadership completes an internal review and evaluates alternative tactics. The announcement follows high-profile episodes involving ICE officers, including a recent deadly shooting in Houston that has attracted scrutiny.
ICE said the order emphasizes de-escalation, safer apprehension methods and closer coordination with local law enforcement where appropriate. Supervisors are expected to provide guidance to field agents on how to respond when a subject attempts to flee by vehicle without initiating a pursuit.
Details on how long the pause will last or what specific procedural changes will be adopted were not disclosed. ICE has indicated the policy will remain in place until the review is finished and any updated procedures or training are implemented.
The temporary moratorium is likely to prompt discussion among lawmakers, civil liberties advocates and law enforcement partners about pursuit policies, officer safety and accountability. ICE has not yet released the full text of the order publicly; further updates are expected as the agency completes its review and announces any formal policy changes.