Experts and former law enforcement officials are questioning the vetting procedures used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following two fatal shootings involving officers in July 2026. The incidents occurred in Maine and Texas as the agency manages a rapid expansion; ICE reports hiring more than 12,000 officers over the past year.
In the Maine incident, Officer David Brouillette allegedly killed Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero during a traffic stop. The officer’s ex-wife told reporters that Brouillette had a history of domestic violence and mental health issues. Gil Kerlikowske, former commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, stated that standard vetting processes should have identified such factors, suggesting the hire should not have occurred.
Law enforcement experts, including Kenneth Corey of the University of Chicago Crime Lab, noted that quality vetting involves reviewing disciplinary records, contacting former employers, and conducting psychological evaluations. Corey indicated that rapid hiring can lead to oversight of temperament and disposition. Chuck Wexler of the Police Executive Research Forum added that improper background investigations can damage a department's credibility.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that it applies all proper personnel vetting regulations but did not provide specific details regarding the hires in question. The agency has previously defended its recruitment campaign as a necessary measure for historic manpower increases.