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PoliticsICE officer faces internal review after fatal shooting of Colombian in Maine
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An ICE officer who fatally shot 25-year-old Colombian Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine on July 13 is undergoing an internal review, focusing on his security clearance and training. US border czar Tom Homan stated that if allegations of the officer's history of serious mental health problems and violent behavior are true, he should never have passed the security check. The Department of Homeland Security initially claimed the officer acted out of concern for public safety after Guerrero tried to flee in his vehicle. The incident has raised questions about the screening of new ICE officers hired under President Trump's tightened immigration policy, as at least ten people have died in immigration enforcement operations since the campaign began. Democratic lawmakers have demanded information on officer training and screening procedures.
Source report
Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero was shot and killed by an ICE officer on July 13 in Biddeford, Maine. Photo: Robert F. Bukaty / AP
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer responsible for the killing of a Colombian national in Maine will face an internal review, according to U.S. President Donald Trump's border czar, Tom Homan.
Speaking on Sunday (local time), Homan stated that the review will focus specifically on the officer's security clearance. The announcement follows reports from relatives, who told the Associated Press that the officer had a history of serious mental health problems and violent behavior.
"If the allegations are true," Homan said, "I don't believe he should ever have passed the security check." He added that "several things are currently being reviewed," including the officer's training and security clearance.
Scrutiny of Hiring Procedures
The incident has intensified scrutiny of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's hiring procedures, particularly as the department sought to recruit thousands of new ICE officers as part of Trump's tightened immigration policy. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the internal review.
Since the start of Trump's new deportation campaign, at least ten people have died in operations conducted by immigration authorities, according to the AP.
Details of the Shooting
The victim, 25-year-old Colombian Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, was shot by the ICE officer on July 13 in Biddeford, Maine.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Guerrero had attempted to flee the scene in his vehicle, and that the officer used his weapon "out of concern for public safety."
Officer's Background
Several close relatives of the officer told the AP that the army veteran had struggled with mental health issues since childhood and should never have been permitted to carry a service weapon or patrol U.S. streets.
In response, Democratic members of Congress have demanded information on the training and screening processes for ICE officers.
This article is based on reporting by the Associated Press.
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taz.de - taz.deWestern
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ICE Officer Faces Internal Review After Fatal Shooting of Colombian in Maine