ORLANDO, Fla. – Protesters gathered in Orlando on Saturday as demonstrations over two deadly encounters involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents spread across the country.
Holding signs and chanting, demonstrators marched along Curry Ford Road and Semoran Boulevard, calling for justice, greater transparency and changes to immigration enforcement practices. The event was organized with participation from the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
“We’re out here because killer cops, killer thugs, killer ICE are killing more people that look like me. Honestly we shouldn’t be surprised because we know the history of this country.” protester Alan Meerano said during the rally.
The Orlando demonstration follows two fatal shootings involving ICE agents that have drawn national attention.
One involved 25-year-old Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent Monday. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the agent opened fire after Durán Guerrero attempted to drive away, and the agent believed doing so posed a threat to public safety.
The second involved 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot and killed during an ICE operation last week. DHS said Salgado Araujo used his van as a weapon, prompting an agent to fire in self-defense.
“Eight days have seen them, a group that has no jurisdiction to be doing what they’re doing. They are out there detaining people, harassing, beating, killing people,” protester Bradley Lewis said.
In response to the recent incidents, ICE has temporarily suspended most vehicle stops during immigration enforcement operations nationwide while the agency reviews its procedures.
The policy change has prompted reactions from lawmakers and federal officials.
“To me, it is an admission that this activity is dangerous,” Sen. Angus King said.
Border czar Tom Homan defended the review, saying ICE will evaluate whether its training and policies were followed.
“They’re going to make sure the training is sufficient. Did anything go wrong? I’m confident they’re going to get back to their policy,” Homan said.
Neither ICE agent involved in the two fatal shootings has been publicly identified, and authorities say neither was equipped with a body camera. Officials also have not released video from either incident.
Homan said ICE plans to equip agents with body cameras but did not provide a timeline for when they would be deployed.
Separately, the Florida Highway Patrol said a person fleeing ICE agents in St. Augustine on Saturday was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer. Additional details about that incident have not been released.