ICE Shootings in Maine and Houston: Know Your Rights During an Immigration Stop

In the span of a single week this July, two men were shot and killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during traffic stops—one in Biddeford, Maine, and one in North Houston, Texas. Neither man, according to officials and their own families, was the person ICE had set out to find. Both were fathers on their way to work.

News like this is frightening, and the fear is spreading well beyond Maine and Texas. Here in the Lehigh Valley, we have heard the same question from clients and community members all week: What am I supposed to do if this happens to me or someone I love? This post is our attempt to answer that clearly and calmly—first with what we actually know about these two cases, and then with the practical rights and steps that matter most.

What happened in Maine and Houston

In Biddeford, Maine, ICE officers fatally shot Joan Sebastian Guerrero, a 26-year-old from Colombia, during a vehicle stop early in the morning of July 14. According to reporting, Guerrero was legally authorized to work in the United States, held two jobs—cleaning a veterinary clinic in the mornings and delivering food in the afternoons—and was the father of a young daughter. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said an officer discharged his weapon after the vehicle "attempted to flee." A spokesman for Senator Angus King said the officers were looking for someone else entirely; Guerrero was not their target. Senator Susan Collins urged DHS to "cease all non-urgent vehicle stops."

One week earlier, in North Houston, ICE officers in unmarked vehicles fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, 52, as he drove his construction crew to a job site. ICE stated that he "weaponized his vehicle," but witnesses—including his brother, who was in the vehicle—dispute that account and say no officer's life was in danger. Officials have confirmed he, too, was not the intended target. Harris County has announced an independent investigation.

In both cases, the officers involved were not wearing body cameras, the accounts of what happened conflict, and the investigations are only beginning. We are not going to pretend to know facts that have not yet been established. What we can tell you is how the law protects you, and what tends to keep people safest during an encounter.

Your rights during an ICE encounter

These rights apply to everyone in the United States, regardless of immigration status. They come from the U.S. Constitution.

You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, how you entered the country, or your immigration status. You can say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent, and I want to speak to a lawyer."

You do not have to consent to a search. You can clearly state, "I do not consent to a search." Officers may still act, but your objection matters and preserves your rights later.

You do not have to open your door. If ICE comes to your home, you do not have to let them in unless they show a warrant signed by a judge (a "judicial" warrant). An ICE administrative warrant—Form I-200 or I-205, signed by an ICE officer rather than a judge—does not give them the legal authority to enter your home without your consent. You can ask them to slip any paperwork under the door or hold it up to a window so you can read it.

You do not have to sign anything. Never sign a document you do not understand, especially one that may waive your right to a hearing or agree to "voluntary departure." Ask to speak with a lawyer first.

You have the right to a lawyer. You have the right to consult an attorney and, in immigration court, to be represented by one (at your own expense). Do not answer substantive questions until you have that chance.

If you are stopped in your vehicle

The two deaths this month happened during traffic stops, so this deserves special care. The single most important thing is to avoid any movement that could be misread as fleeing or as a threat.

Pull over calmly and safely. Turn on your interior light if it is dark. Keep your hands visible on the steering wheel and avoid sudden movements or reaching into bags, pockets, or the glove compartment without saying what you are doing. You can still exercise your right to remain silent about your immigration status—being silent and being physically calm are not in conflict. Do not attempt to drive away. If you have valid immigration documents or work authorization, you may choose to show them.

Prepare before anything happens

The families in Maine and Houston did not have the chance to plan. You can. A little preparation removes a great deal of the panic in the moment:

Carry a "know your rights" card (sometimes called a red card) that states, in writing, that you are exercising your right to remain silent and want a lawyer—you can hand it over instead of speaking. Memorize the phone number of an immigration attorney and one trusted family member; do not rely only on your phone. Keep proof of any lawful status or work authorization current and, if you have it, with you. Make a family emergency plan: who will pick up your children, who has access to important documents, and who to call first. If you have a pending case or application, keep copies of your receipts and know your case status.

How our firm can help

At Lehigh Valley Immigration Law, we represent individuals and families across Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and the greater Lehigh Valley in removal defense, family-based immigration, adjustment of status, and related matters. If you or a loved one has been detained, has an encounter you are worried about, or simply wants to understand your options and build a plan before anything happens, we are here to help—in English and in Spanish.

Weeks like this one are heavy. The best response to fear is a plan and people who know the law on your side. If you need us, reach out.

This post is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. For advice about your specific situation, please contact a licensed immigration attorney.