Crowd Control Weapons Injured ICE Protestors, Report Finds

Doctors and human rights experts documented hundreds of incidents between June 2025 and May 2026 where crowd control weapons, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray, were misused against protesters demonstrating outside ICE detention centers or during enforcement operations across the United States. The report estimates that the true number of such incidents is significantly greater than documented.

These incidents resulted in a range of severe and lasting injuries, including blindings and traumatic brain injuries. The report highlights a pattern of deployment of these tactics by both local and federal law enforcement officials over the past year. The findings underscore concerns about the excessive and potentially harmful use of crowd control measures during demonstrations related to immigration policy.

The documented cases provide a stark overview of the physical toll on individuals participating in anti-immigration protests. The misuse of these weapons has led to permanent health consequences for numerous individuals, raising questions about accountability and the protocols governing the use of force by law enforcement during public demonstrations.