Police detain a protester after they issued dispersal orders at the site where city officials said that a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot a person earlier in the day in Austin, Texas, US September 20, 2026. REUTERS/Nuri Vallbona
Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement prosecutor Verónica Cardenas offered a chilling explanation to MS NOW's Antonia Hylton Monday evening why ICE keeps shooting people.
The latest such incident took place in Austin, where a suspect was wounded by federal agents, triggering widespread protest.
"What do you think this administration is trying to accomplish?" asked Hylton, noting that "this isn't even the first time that you and I have talked about a violent and aggressive traffic stop gone wrong with ICE. So why does this keep happening?"
Cardenas said she has been "asking myself" that question as well — and the numbers paint a grim picture.
"So 24 people have been shot by DHS, nine have been killed, about 15 have been wounded, and there has been zero accountability from ICE officers and agents," said Cardenas.
The simplest explanation for why, she said, is "because they can do it. And they're more concerned with the numbers saying, yes, we deported this many, we arrested this many just from like three months ago. DHS has arrested more every month. And that is continuing. And so the statistics are just going through the roof. And it doesn't matter what cost."
Hylton remarked, "it's an incredibly disturbing final thought to leave off on."