ICE officer in Maine shooting should have never been given badge, gun, relatives say

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Democratic lawmakers are pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for answers about the agency’s vetting and training for immigration enforcement officers after the recent fatal shooting by an officer in Maine.

David Brouillette, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who fatally wounded Colombian national Johan Sebastián Guerrero on Monday, has a history of violent behavior and mental health issues.

Close relatives to Brouillette told The Associated Press that the Army veteran had struggled with serious mental health issues since early childhood.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (Miss.), the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, told the AP that the officer’s mental health history coupled with the shooting in Maine “directly call into question the supposed vetting and training ICE does of its recruits.”

“This senseless tragedy must be investigated and the officer responsible should be taken off our streets and face justice for his actions,” he added.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) echoed the concerns, accusing the Trump administration and Republicans of prioritizing a hiring spree in ICE without adequate safeguards — at the cost of lives.

“The Trump administration rushed 12,000 agents onto our streets without ensuring they were fit to carry a badge and a gun — and Republicans gave this rogue agency vast power and no accountability,” Schumer told the AP. “They empowered ICE. Now they must work with us to prevent more killings.”

ICE has been expanding its workforce in the wake of President Trump’s immigration crackdown, hiring thousands of new officers and even offering signing bonuses as incentives to join.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement that “an impartial investigation into the shooting in Biddeford needs to proceed, as the details surrounding this tragedy are important.”

Collins also said the shooting raised “critical questions” and that she has spoken to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

“While the investigation of the Biddeford shooting is not yet complete, it raises sufficient critical questions that I spoke with DHS Secretary Mullin last night and urged him to cease all non-urgent vehicle stops,” she said in a statement.

Trump and Mullin have defended ICE in the wake of the incident.

DHS temporarily halted traffic stops following the incident, but the president called for the practice to be reinstated shortly after. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday that Trump and the DHS secretary are on the same page regarding the practice.

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AP

Bennie Thompson

Chuck Schumer

David Brouillette

DHS

Donald Trump

ICE

Johan Sebastián Guerrero

Karoline Leavitt

Maine ICE shooting

Markwayne Mullin

Susan Collins

Trump administration

Trump immigration agenda

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