ICE agents resume traffic stops, require body cameras for all field offices

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been instructed to restart traffic stops nationwide, but the agency can only conduct a stop if at least one officer on the arrest team is wearing a body‑camera. The directive follows a White House statement that traffic stops remain a “necessary tool” for deportation efforts.

ICE says roughly half of its 13,000 agents’ field offices already have body cameras. The remaining offices are slated to receive cameras within about 60 days, bringing the total to full coverage. Earlier this year, the agency reported that about 3,000 agents had cameras and an additional 6,000 were on order. The rollout is presented as a measure to increase transparency and officer safety after several fatal shootings involving ICE agents.

The policy is being rolled out under the Department of Homeland Security, with DHS officials confirming that each arrest team will include at least one officer equipped with a body camera before any traffic stop can occur.