Identifying ‘Less-Lethal’ Weapons Used By DHS Agents in US Immigration Raids and Protests

Bellingcat details the identification and use of less‑lethal weapons deployed by DHS components (CBP, ICE) during immigration operations and protest responses in 2025–2026, including compressed air launchers (PepperBall, FN303), 40mm launchers (B&T GL06, Penn Arms) and munitions, hand‑thrown grenades (CS/OC/smoke/flash‑bang), chemical sprays (OC/CS), and electronic control weapons (TASER models). The report outlines manufacturer specifications, color‑coding, safety distances, and differing DHS/CBP/ICE use‑of‑force policies, training requirements, and restrictions, and documents incidents appearing to contravene policy or court orders (e.g., head/face targeting at close range). It notes DHS did not provide updated policies by publication and addresses misinformation (e.g., green smoke toxicity), offering practical visual cues for public identification of devices and munitions.