HUMSI — Human Security Initiative

Human Impact Project

A living database documenting reported immigration enforcement incidents and their human impact.

412 protest incidents documented: ICE and police deploy crowd-control weapons, causing blindings and brain injuries

Jul 14, 2026 · United States

Physicians for Human Rights and the Human Rights Center at UC Berkeley documented 412 incidents of crowd-control weapon misuse against demonstrators protesting immigration enforcement between June 2025 and May 2026 across 16 cities in 13 states. DHS agents were responsible for 265 incidents (64%), with state and local agencies responsible for 123 (30%). The victims included 209 demonstrators, 177 journalists, 12 minors, 7 bystanders, and 4 healthcare workers or legal observers. Of the 412 incidents, 119 resulted in documented injuries including 19 traumatic brain injuries, 12 fractures, 10 ocular injuries causing blindings, 7 permanent disabilities, 1 partial hand amputation, and 1 hearing loss. Researchers noted the true number of injuries is likely far greater, as invisible injuries like chemical damage and chronic pain are difficult to assess. The report found 86% of incidents occurred during four named DHS operations: At Large (Los Angeles), Midway Blitz (Chicago), Black Rose (Portland), and Metro Surge (Minneapolis), with additional incidents documented at protests outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey.

Timeline

Jul 14, 2026Report released documenting 412 incidents of crowd-control weapon misuse, including 119 verified injuries with traumatic brain injuries, fractures, blindings, and permanent disabilities
Jul 1, 2026Protests outside Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey; ICE officials and state police deploy tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against demonstrators
May 31, 2026Documentation period ends; 412 total incidents recorded across 16 cities in 13 states
Jun 1, 2025Documentation period begins for crowd-control weapon incidents at immigration enforcement protests

Sources

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