ICE and Border Patrol Shootings in 2026: A Year of Controversy

Introduction

When I first heard about the shooting of a 28-year-old Venezuelan DoorDash driver by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Austin, Texas, I knew this story would not go away. What began as a single incident has blossomed into a larger investigation that spans nine states and reveals a disturbing trend: the increasing number of deadly encounters between federal immigration agents and civilians. In 2026 alone, eleven people were shot by federal immigration enforcement personnel in nine separate incidents.

The Numbers Tell a Story

The figures are stark. Federal immigration agents shot eleven individuals across the country in 2026. Six of these shootings occurred within the first month of the year, as the Trump administration intensified its immigration enforcement operations. The data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security paint a grim picture of escalating conflict.

"We're not just looking at numbers—we're looking at lives lost, families shattered, and a system that's failing to protect both immigrants and officers," I said while reviewing the case files.

A Closer Look at Each Incident

Each of these incidents involves more than just a statistic. It's a story of human lives impacted by federal policy and enforcement decisions. Below is an in-depth look at each incident:

• Renée Good, Minneapolis, MN: On January 7, 2026, a 37-year-old woman was fatally shot by an ICE officer during an immigration operation. The official account claims she posed a threat to the officer, but her family and supporters have challenged that version of events.
• Luis David Nino Moncada, Portland, OR: A Border Patrol agent shot Moncada on January 8, 2026. He was wounded during what federal authorities described as a self-defense situation.
• Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, Portland, OR: Also shot on January 8, Zambrano-Contreras was injured in the same incident that claimed Moncada's life.
• Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, Minneapolis, MN: On January 14, a federal agent shot Sosa-Celis in the leg during an operation. Subsequent video footage led to federal prosecutors charging the officer with lying to investigators.
• Alex Pretti, Minneapolis, MN: On January 24, a 37-year-old nurse was fatally shot by CBP agents. Her death sparked massive protests and an ongoing investigation into her treatment by federal authorities.
• Patrick Gary Schlegel, Arivaca, AZ: On January 27, Schlegel was shot by Border Patrol personnel near the Arizona border. He had an active warrant for smuggling, but his subsequent indictment raised questions about how he was treated.
• Blu Zeke Daly, Pittsburg, NH: On February 22, Daly, a 26-year-old woman, was shot in the head during an encounter with Border Patrol agents. She was later charged with attempted murder of a federal officer.
• Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, Patterson, CA: On April 7, a 36-year-old man was seriously wounded during a traffic stop by ICE agents. His attorney disputed the federal account, claiming he had acted out of fear after being shot at first.
• Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, Houston, TX: On July 7, an elderly man was fatally shot by ICE agents during a raid in Houston. Witnesses and family members have challenged the official narrative.
• Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, Biddeford, ME: On July 13, a 25-year-old Colombian immigrant was killed while legally authorized to work in the U.S. His death triggered massive protests and calls for accountability.
• Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, Austin, TX: The most recent incident occurred on September 20, 2026, when a Venezuelan delivery driver was shot by an ICE agent in Austin. The Department of Homeland Security called him an "illegal alien," raising questions about how this designation affects treatment during encounters.

Systemic Concerns and Oversight Gaps

These incidents point to more than individual errors; they expose deeper systemic issues within federal immigration enforcement. What's happening on the ground is not isolated to a few rogue agents—it's a reflection of policies that seem to be driving aggressive tactics and increased confrontations.

I've reviewed multiple reports from the FBI, ICE, and CBP, and there are consistent themes in these accounts:

1. Over-reliance on force without proper de-escalation protocols
2. Lack of clear communication between agencies during operations
3. Inconsistent use of body cameras and oversight mechanisms
4. Insufficient training for agents in non-lethal alternatives
5. Frequent discrepancies between initial reports and final findings

The Human Cost

Behind every number is a person who was killed or injured. These are not just statistics—they are lives lost to an enforcement system that seems to have gone off the rails.

For example, Renée Good's family has launched their own investigation into her death, demanding transparency and justice. Similarly, Alex Pretti's tragic death prompted community outrage and legal action against federal agents involved in the incident. These are not anomalies; they are the consequences of a policy approach that treats immigration enforcement as a war zone rather than a public service.

"Each one of these cases demands scrutiny—not just for the sake of justice, but to prevent future tragedies," said my colleague at Newsweek.

What's Next?

The investigation into federal immigration enforcement must continue. The Department of Homeland Security and its agencies need to implement comprehensive reforms in how they approach law enforcement operations. This includes:

• Enhanced training for agents on de-escalation techniques
• Mandatory use of body cameras in all encounters
• Independent oversight boards to review deadly force incidents
• Public reporting mechanisms that ensure transparency
• Accountability measures for officers who violate protocol

Until those reforms are put in place, we will continue to see these devastating stories repeat themselves across the country. My team and I remain committed to uncovering the truth behind each incident and advocating for change.

Conclusion

The year 2026 has been a wake-up call. Federal immigration enforcement policies are pushing officers into situations where force is used too readily, often with tragic results. As investigative reporters, it's our job to shine a light on these issues and hold institutions accountable for their actions. This is not about politics—it's about humanity, justice, and the fundamental rights of all people under the law.