A U.S. Border Patrol agent was fatally shot during a traffic stop in Vermont on Monday, just hours after President Donald Trump announced sweeping new measures to address illegal immigration.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:15 p.m. local time in Waterbury, located about 45 minutes south of Montreal. The agent was reportedly shot in the neck by an individual who had overstayed their visa, according to sources cited by NewsNation.
The suspect was also killed during the exchange of gunfire, and a woman at the scene sustained injuries. Her condition has not yet been disclosed.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the deaths and announced that the FBI will lead the investigation. However, officials have not yet verified the immigration status of the shooter.
Trump Declares Border Emergency
The deadly encounter came just hours after President Trump declared a “national emergency” over what he called a “border crisis.” On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order shutting down the CBP One app, which previously allowed migrants to schedule appointments for legal entry into the U.S.
The app facilitated entry for nearly one million migrants who met work eligibility requirements. With its closure on Monday, thousands of migrants saw their appointments canceled, sparking uncertainty and chaos.
In his inaugural address, Trump pledged to use federal powers to curb illegal immigration, labeling Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. He also vowed to remove “criminals illegally entering the country” to restore what he called “common sense” in border policing.
“With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense,” Trump said.
Legislation in Focus: The Laken Riley Act
In addition to his executive order, Trump has pledged support for the Laken Riley Act, named after a University of Georgia nursing student who was murdered in February 2024. Riley was attacked and killed during a morning run by Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan national living in the U.S. illegally.
Ibarra was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. The proposed legislation would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes such as theft, burglary, or shoplifting until they are deported.
A vote on the Laken Riley Act is expected Monday evening. Trump has cited Riley’s death as a motivating factor for his aggressive immigration policies, stating, “It is time to secure our border and remove these criminals and thugs from our country, so nothing like this can happen again.”
