A New York Times report published on July 19, 2026, alleged that the FBI issued a directive instructing agents not to investigate certain confrontations involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

According to the report, FBI managers nationwide received written guidance stating that investigations into incidents involving ICE agents would instead be handled by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The reported policy change, if implemented, would significantly reduce the FBI's role in reviewing allegations involving immigration enforcement officers, including potential civil rights concerns.

The report emerged amid heightened public scrutiny following fatal shootings involving ICE agents in Houston, Texas, and Biddeford, Maine, as well as protests in several states over immigration enforcement practices.The U.S.

Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security rejected the characterization of the policy, issuing a joint statement asserting that their working relationship on investigations involving assaults on federal officers had not changed and emphasizing that attacks on law enforcement would continue to be prosecuted.The alleged directive prompted strong reactions from commentators across the political spectrum.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council argued that allowing HSI to oversee such investigations could create conflicts of interest because it lacks jurisdiction over civil rights investigations.

Other critics described the reported move as undermining accountability, while conservative commentator Andrew Alvarez welcomed it as reducing interference with ICE operations.

The article also references previous allegations against ICE agent David Brouillette, who was involved in one of the fatal shootings, noting concerns raised by a former spouse about his suitability to carry firearms.FBI Director Kash Patel did not publicly address the report, instead posting about the FBI's preparations for the FIFA World Cup.