The streets of America's cities have long been a battleground for protests against immigration policy, but a disturbing trend has emerged from an investigation into the tactics used by law enforcement. A report by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and the University of California, Berkeley's Human Rights Center alleges 'misuse' of crowd control weapons, resulting in 412 verified incidents during anti-immigration demonstrations between June 2025 and May 2026.
The consequences have been severe: researchers documented 203 injuries, including chemical irritants such as teargas and pepper spray, and kinetic impact projectiles like rubber bullets and bean bag rounds. Among the reported injuries are blindings, traumatic brain injuries, lacerations, fractures, and contusions – a grim tally that is likely to be an underestimation of the true scale of harm.
Dr Rohini Haar, lead author of the report and PHR medical expert, warned that these findings raise serious concerns about the misuse of crowd control weapons. The investigation defined 'misuse' as targeting protected categories, such as journalists and health workers, and vulnerable populations like the elderly and children. Researchers also tracked instances where these tactics were employed inappropriately, including firing projectiles at close range or aiming for the head.
The use of these methods has been observed during anti-immigration protests across the US, often outside ICE detention centres or during enforcement operations. One notable incident involved a New Jersey senator being pepper sprayed during a demonstration – a highly publicised event that highlighted the escalating tensions and tensions between protesters and law enforcement.
This report builds on years of research by PHR into the impacts of crowd control weapons. The organisation has created an interactive map to allow the public to see where and how these tactics have been deployed nationwide, underscoring ongoing debates about the use of force in public order situations and the potential for severe, lasting harm.