DOJ and DHS Deny Shift in ICE Assault Investigations

The United States Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security issued a joint statement denying reports that the Federal Bureau of Investigation would cease investigating assault claims made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The denial followed reports that FBI managers and ICE agents were notified on July 16, 2026, that such investigations would shift to Homeland Security Investigations, an arm of ICE.

Critics of the purported change argued that shifting oversight to Homeland Security Investigations would reduce accountability, as the unit lacks jurisdiction to investigate civil rights violations. This concern emerged following recent fatal ICE shootings in Houston, Texas, and Biddeford, Maine. Specifically, agents were involved in the deaths of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo on July 7 and Joan Sebastian Guerrero.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the government's commitment to law enforcement, stating that the federal government will prosecute anyone who touches a federal officer. Both the Justice Department and Homeland Security maintained that the FBI will continue to investigate assault on federal officer cases in accordance with existing agency policy.