At least 79 children injured by tear gas and pepper spray during federal immigration enforcement

An investigation by ProPublica has identified at least 79 children across the United States who were injured by tear gas or pepper spray deployed by federal immigration agents during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations. The report details specific incidents where chemical munitions were fired near schools, residences, and family vehicles, resulting in respiratory distress, chemical burns, and breathing difficulties in infants and children.

While the Department of Homeland Security defends its agents' actions by blaming agitators and parents, multiple court rulings have concluded that officers used excessive force and demonstrated deliberate indifference to the risks posed to bystanders. Judges in Chicago, Portland, and other jurisdictions have issued orders restricting the use of these weapons in specific areas, yet federal agents continue to deploy them in other communities.

The investigation verified incidents by interviewing more than 40 victims or witnesses and reviewing officer-worn body camera footage, social media posts, and lawsuits. The data reveals that chemical munitions were fired into crowds containing children after warnings were issued, and in one instance, an officer fired pepper spray through a driver's side window, hitting a one-year-old girl in the back seat of a family car.

A DHS spokesperson called the incident involving the infant a disgusting pepper spray hoax, but a local pastor who was at the scene rebuked the claim, testifying at an Illinois state accountability commission that there is literally video evidence. The department has repeatedly defended its use of the chemicals, asserting its agents are not to blame and that the fault lies with those who put children in harm's way.

Legal challenges have highlighted a lack of consistency in the use of these weapons, as no national standard governs their deployment by law enforcement. In cities like Minneapolis and Portland, agents working for DHS could more freely use tear gas in targeted cities where local police policies are stricter, despite local officers reporting the federal agents' actions as excessive and disproportionate to the threat posed.

Experts and former leaders within the department have noted that the number of children exposed indicates something is seriously broken in the department's training and policies. While some legislative proposals have been introduced in Congress to restrict federal officers from carrying these weapons without specific approval, the agency has not responded to questions about whether it has investigated or disciplined officers over their use since last year.