The FBI will reportedly no longer lead investigations into alleged assaults involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. According to multiple sources familiar with the decision, these cases will instead be handled by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a division of ICE operating under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Sources said FBI field offices were informed of the policy change on Thursday.
Concerns Over Independent Investigations
The reported change has raised concerns because HSI is part of the same department that oversees ICE. As a result, incidents involving ICE officers could now be investigated by an agency within the same organization, prompting questions about the independence of such investigations.
However, the Department of Homeland Security denied on Sunday that any changes to investigative procedures were being implemented.
Decision Follows Recent Fatal ICE Shootings
The reported policy shift comes after two fatal shootings involving ICE officers earlier this month.
- On July 7, an ICE officer fatally shot a Mexican national in Houston who had lived in the United States for decades.
- Days later, another ICE officer shot and killed a Colombian man in Biddeford, Maine.
Both incidents have drawn significant public attention.
Previous Investigations Raised Questions
Earlier this year, the FBI assigned additional resources in Minnesota to investigate alleged assaults on immigration officers during enforcement operations. Several of those cases were later dismissed after prosecutors reviewed the available evidence.
A separate investigation involving the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti initially placed HSI in charge with FBI assistance. Following concerns from current and former federal law enforcement officials, leadership of the investigation was transferred to the FBI and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. That investigation remains ongoing.
Concerns About HSI’s Investigative Role
Current and former officials have noted that HSI is not typically responsible for officer-involved shooting investigations. The agency is generally not structured to handle key aspects of these cases, including forensic analysis, ballistics testing, firearm examinations, video evidence review, and extensive witness interviews.
The reported decision to shift assault investigations involving ICE officers from the FBI to Homeland Security Investigations has sparked debate over investigative independence and oversight. While DHS has denied any official policy change, the issue remains under scrutiny following recent fatal encounters involving immigration officers.