White House Border Czar Tom Homan said he supports the use of body cameras for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers following fatal shootings by federal immigration agents in Texas and Maine earlier this month. In an appearance on “Face the Nation,” Homan stated that body cameras “let the American people know what that officer sees when he takes that action,” suggesting the devices could help provide transparency around officers’ actions during confrontations.
The support for body cameras comes amid heightened scrutiny of ICE operations and officer conduct. The Trump administration is also moving forward with resuming ICE traffic stops, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin are “on the same page” on the issue. According to Leavitt, vehicle stops are continuing and verbal guidance has been provided to ICE field offices across the country.
Reports have emerged that the FBI may no longer be investigating ICE confrontations, according to The New York Times. However, both the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have denied that any change in oversight procedures has occurred, creating disagreement over whether investigative responsibilities have shifted.
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Featured photo: Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)