ICE to Mandate Body Cameras for Traffic Stops After Fatal Shootings

The agency has already procured the necessary equipment and is currently finalizing nationwide training protocols. The move follows intense public scrutiny after officers killed drivers in Texas and Maine during separate traffic stops earlier this month. Neither incident was captured on video, fueling calls for increased accountability across the department.

While ICE previously launched a limited pilot program in five cities, including Washington, DC and Baltimore, the rollout faced significant delays due to budget disputes during the recent government shutdown. Despite earlier attempts by the administration to scale back funding for the initiative, the recent surge in violence—resulting in seven deaths during enforcement operations since January 2025—has accelerated the deployment. President Donald Trump, who initially ordered a temporary suspension of vehicle stops for a procedural review, reversed the decision within 24 hours, mandating that operations continue alongside the new camera requirements.