FBI to stop investigating ICE incidents
Immigration enforcement violence cases will now be investigated by the agency itself.
1Policy change
According to the New York Times, the FBI will no longer investigate violent incidents involving ICE agents. While DHS and the Justice Department denied this change, it's alleged that the policy was revised after two fatal incidents in the last two weeks.
2Fatal incidents
The shootings of unarmed civilians by ICE agents in Maine and Texas are just two of the agency's recent high-profile killings. Reports also indicate that agents attempted to intimidate witnesses following these events.
3Investigation process
The new policy would end FBI investigations into assaults against DHS agents. However, a Times analysis shows that nearly half of such cases against protesters end in acquittal or dismissal, despite increasing numbers.
4Conflict of interest
Under the change, investigative authority would shift to Homeland Security Investigations, an ICE unit. This means the agency would investigate its own personnel, though this unit lacks jurisdiction over civil rights violations.
5Evidence concerns
While FBI investigations helped build cases against protesters, they also gathered evidence that could be used against officers in future trials. The new system may make such evidence collection more difficult.
6Civil rights implications
Experts warn this change would significantly reduce the likelihood of investigations into incidents like shootings of unarmed civilians. ICE investigating itself could make it harder to detect federal law violations.
Original article: The Verge (theverge.com) — FBI'nin ICE soruşturmalarını durdurma kararı