Federal Immigration Agents Involved in Multiple Shootings in 2026

A recent shooting in Austin, Texas, has heightened concerns about federal immigration enforcement activities in 2026. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot a 28-year-old Venezuelan DoorDash driver, marking the eleventh shooting by federal immigration agents this year.

Increase in Federal Immigration Activity

The year began with an aggressive expansion of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. This strategy has led to six shootings within the first month of 2026. Large operations, such as Minnesota’s ‘Operation Metro Surge,’ increased federal agent presence in communities, resulting in several high-profile confrontations.

On January 7, 37-year-old Renée Good was killed by an ICE officer during an operation in Minneapolis. Despite federal claims that her vehicle posed a threat, the shooting incited widespread protests and government scrutiny.

Other Notable Incidents

Several other incidents followed Good’s shooting. On January 8, Luis David Nino Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras were injured in Portland, Oregon, when a Border Patrol agent opened fire.

Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, shot on January 14, experienced a leg injury during an ICE operation in Minneapolis. Video evidence led to federal charges against the ICE officer for lying to investigators about the incident.

Later, on January 24, Alex Pretti, a nurse from Minneapolis, was killed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. Although ruled a homicide, only two agents faced charges for use of force.

Additional Cases and Legal Outcomes

In Arizona, Patrick Gary Schlegel was shot on January 27 near the border. Despite his significant criminal history, including a warrant for smuggling, he was indicted for attempted murder of a federal officer.

Blu Zeke Daly was shot in New Hampshire on February 22. Charged with attempted murder and assault, she faced severe legal consequences following the event.

In California, Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez was seriously injured on April 7. While authorities claimed he drove toward agents, his attorney contested this version, stating Hernandez acted in fear after being shot.

On July 7, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was fatally shot in Houston during an ICE operation. Federal officials described an attempted assault, but eyewitnesses and family members disputed these claims.

Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, mistakenly targeted during a warrant-related traffic stop on July 13, was fatally shot by an ICE officer. Despite being authorized to work in the U.S., his death has raised significant concerns.

Most recently, on September 20, Wilber Rafael Garces Perez was shot in Austin while working as a delivery driver. The incident remains under investigation, with a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson describing Perez as an ‘illegal alien.’

The series of incidents this year has led to increasing scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement methods. Newsweek has contacted ICE, CBP, and other federal bodies for comments on these cases.