▲ Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the resumption of vehicle stops on July 15 (local time), which had been suspended following a series of fatal shootings involving immigrants.
President Trump stated on the social media platform Truth Social, "We must be strong, firm, and smart, and we cannot give up on vehicle stops, one of the most powerful and effective crime-fighting tools of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)!"
"The moment we give this up, we are playing into the hands of criminals," Trump added. "The foolish radical left Democrats would love to see that happen, but it will not happen on my watch."
He then urged ICE agents to "get back out there and perform your very important mission."
ICE had suspended most vehicle stops after a series of incidents in which immigrants were shot and killed during enforcement operations against undocumented residents, but President Trump has now reversed that decision.
The move is interpreted as a demonstration of his resolve to continue his signature policy of strict immigration enforcement ahead of the midterm elections in November.
ICE is currently embroiled in controversy over excessive enforcement following the string of deaths.
On July 7, a Mexican national was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Houston, Texas.
Six days later, on July 13, a man from Colombia was also killed by an ICE agent's gunfire in Maine.
The Colombian man had been legally authorized to work in the United States.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration's massive immigration crackdown faced setbacks after two U.S. citizens were killed by enforcement agents during an operation in Minnesota.
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