Federal Agents Face Scrutiny Over "Less-Lethal" Weapon Use in Protests and Raids

Federal agents are increasingly utilizing "less-lethal" weapons, such as impact projectiles and tear gas, against protesters and during immigration raids, sparking significant controversy. These weapons, designed to incapacitate without causing death, have reportedly led to severe injuries, including two protesters in California allegedly blinded by rounds fired at close range earlier this month. These incidents are part of a broader pattern of violent confrontations between Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents and demonstrators following the deadly shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis.

Concerns are mounting over the proper application of these weapons, with a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officer in Minneapolis captured on video firing a 40mm less-lethal launcher multiple times, seemingly targeting protesters' faces, which directly contradicts CBP's own use-of-force policy. A previous investigation in October 2025 also identified approximately 30 incidents where DHS agents appeared to violate a temporary restraining order limiting less-lethal weapon use in Illinois. The lack of consistent and publicly available use-of-force policies across DHS component agencies like ICE and CBP further complicates accountability.

DHS agencies maintain varying guidelines regarding the circumstances under which less-lethal force can be deployed, including the level of resistance required from an individual. While CBP's 2021 policy is accessible, ICE's 2023 "Firearms and Use of Force" Directive lacks specific guidance on less-lethal weapons, and no other public policy from ICE outlines such details. DHS did not respond to inquiries regarding their most recent use-of-force policies or authorized less-lethal weapons, despite the department's own 2023 policy stating that force, including less-lethal options, should only be used when no other effective alternative exists.