Trump demands ICE reverse traffic stop policy… says ‘It won’t happen on my watch’ after agency’s major shift

US President Donald Trump has strongly criticised a recent policy change by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), urging the federal agency to restore one of its most widely used enforcement tactics after it temporarily suspended traffic stops.

The development follows a significant shift in ICE’s operational policy, introduced after two separate fatal shootings involving ICE agents during traffic stops in Maine and Texas. The decision to pause such operations was described by several US media outlets as a major change in the agency’s enforcement approach.

Trump opposes ICE’s decision

Reacting to the move, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, where he argued that traffic stops remain one of ICE’s most effective tools in identifying and detaining individuals accused of violating US immigration laws.

In his post, Trump linked the issue to illegal immigration and criticised former President Joe Biden’s border policies.”We cannot give up one of ICE’s most important and effective crime-fighting tools, the traffic stop,” Trump wrote.

The President also urged immigration officers to continue enforcing the law while acting responsibly.”ICE, be judicious, fair and smart, and go back and do your very important job,” he added.

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Why did ICE suspend traffic stops?

According to reports, ICE leadership temporarily halted routine traffic stops after two fatal incidents involving agency officers in Maine and Texas raised concerns over operational safety and enforcement procedures.

The policy change was intended as an internal operational adjustment while authorities review existing practices following the recent shootings.

The move marked a notable departure from ICE’s traditional enforcement strategy, where traffic stops have often been used to identify individuals suspected of immigration violations or other criminal offences.

Immigration remains a key political issue

Immigration enforcement has remained one of the defining issues of Trump’s presidency. Since returning to the White House, his administration has repeatedly pledged to strengthen border security, expand deportation efforts, and tighten immigration enforcement across the United States.

Trump has frequently argued that stricter enforcement measures are necessary to tackle illegal immigration and improve public safety, while critics have raised concerns about civil liberties and policing practices.

The latest disagreement over ICE’s traffic stop policy highlights the ongoing debate in the United States over how immigration laws should be enforced while balancing public safety and accountability.