Misused for Maximum Mayhem: The Disturbing Pattern of Lethal Nonlethality in US Immigration Protests

A recent report by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and the University of California, Berkeley, reveals that law enforcement agencies misused nonlethal crowd-control weapons over 400 times during immigration protests between June 2025 and May 2026. The research documents 412 instances of misuse, including injuries caused by projectiles deployed in ways that violated manufacturer guidance or widely accepted policing norms.

The report’s authors found that nearly half (47.1%) of those injured required medical care for their head and facial trauma, with at least one person left permanently disabled. This trend suggests a deliberate disregard for established protocols governing the use of nonlethal force, rather than mere negligence.

One disturbing pattern stood out: law enforcement agencies repeatedly targeted protesters’ heads and faces. Nineteen people sustained brain injuries, while ten suffered eye damage – evidence that established protocols were being willfully disregarded.

The presence of Border Patrol agent Greg Bovino at protest sites was often accompanied by increased violence. Incidents rose dramatically whenever he was present, demonstrating a disturbing trend of violence directly attributed to his leadership.

In the five major cities most affected by these incidents (Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Newark, and Portland), 86% of injuries were linked to Department of Homeland Security actions. Operations like “Midway Blitz” and “Metro Surge” only serve to underscore the disconnect between crowd-control rhetoric and mass violence.

Hybrid weapons, such as pepper balls, contributed significantly to these avoidable injuries – a staggering 25% of the total documented. These findings raise serious concerns about the misuse of nonlethal force in immigration protests and highlight the urgent need for reform within law enforcement agencies.

Physicians for Human Rights’ Rohini Haar noted that harms caused by the misuse of crowd-control weapons are often foreseeable, particularly when these tools are deployed against vulnerable populations like children or protesters exercising their constitutional rights. The report’s authors invite authorities to examine these findings and act immediately to prevent further suffering.

Implementing meaningful public oversight of incidents during immigration enforcement protests and holding law enforcement agencies accountable for their actions is essential. A fundamental shift in the way we approach crowd control is needed, one that prioritizes human life over the pursuit of order.

The misuse of nonlethal force is not an isolated incident; rather, it’s a symptom of a deeper issue: the normalization of violence in our society. It’s time to confront this reality head-on and demand a more humane approach to policing.

If we fail to address this crisis, the consequences will be dire – more lives lost, more families shattered, and a further eroding of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The choice is ours: we can continue down this path of misused nonlethality or commit to creating a safer, more just society for all.