ICE Agents Can Resume Traffic Stops with New Body Camera Requirement
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents nationwide have been given the green light to conduct traffic stops again, but there’s a catch: at least one officer involved must be wearing a body camera, as reported by sources.
This new guidance follows the White House’s admission that ICE vehicle stops have not ceased. Caroline Levitt, a spokesperson, stated that President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin agree that these traffic stops are “a necessary tool” in the ongoing deportation efforts.
Levitt emphasized that these stops are crucial for ICE officers trying to deport what they call “the worst criminal illegal aliens” from the U.S. She also acknowledged recent concerns regarding body cameras, noting that over half of ICE field offices have them installed now.
The directive means that officers without body cameras cannot conduct traffic stops at all. While the rollout of body cameras began in larger cities, not every field office has received them yet. It’s anticipated that this policy will continue to limit ICE traffic stops until the deployment is finalized, which should take about two more months, according to insiders.
A DHS spokesperson assured that each arrest team would have someone with a body camera. They highlighted the priority of equipping ICE officers with these devices, especially given the significant increase in attacks on law enforcement—over 1,300%—including a 3,300% rise in vehicle-related attacks.
Levitt also pointed out that the rollout has faced delays due to the impact of Democratic government shutdowns, although more than half of the field offices now have body cameras, with the remainder expected to receive them within 60 days.
She concluded that these cameras are essential as misinformation spreads about law enforcement agencies, making accountability even more crucial.
This guidance represents the latest shift in ICE’s operational strategies as it seeks to reinforce key immigration enforcement under President Trump while enhancing the use of body cameras to increase transparency and safety.
