A new report reveals extensive misuse of crowd control weapons during anti-immigration demonstrations across the United States, documenting hundreds of incidents that caused lasting injuries.
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and the Human Rights Center at the University of California, Berkeley (HRC) released the report and an interactive map this week.
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Doctors and human rights experts documented 412 verified incidents of misuse from June 2025 through May 2026.
Injuries and Tactics
Researchers documented 203 injuries, including blindings, traumatic brain injuries, lacerations, fractures, and contusions.
The true number of injuries is likely far greater, as invisible injuries like chemical damage and chronic pain are difficult to assess.
Incidents included pepper spraying Senator Andy Kim in Newark, New Jersey, and deploying batons, shields, and teargas at protests outside Delaney Hall immigration detention center.
Weapons used include chemical irritants, kinetic impact projectiles, stun grenades, water cannon, and improvised weapons like horses and riot shields.
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Responsible Agencies
Department of Homeland Security agencies, including ICE and CBP, were responsible for 64% of documented misuse incidents.
Local officers also played a significant role, particularly in Los Angeles.
The report noted a sharp rise in incidents in cities where federal enforcement escalated, coinciding with operations led by former Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino.
Since June 2025, mass protests erupted in Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, Newark, and Portland, where over 90% of incidents occurred.
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DHS immigration officials have been responsible for at least 11 shooting deaths since January 2025, including two fatal shootings in Texas and Maine in July.
