The Department of Homeland Security said Friday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is working to expand the use of body-worn cameras for officers, as the agency faces renewed scrutiny after a Minneapolis woman was shot and killed by an ICE agent during an enforcement operation earlier this month.
DHS public affairs official Tricia McLaughlin told CNN that officers are "of course" permitted to wear body cameras and that the department is pursuing broader implementation through the "One Big Beautiful Bill," a sweeping funding law signed by President Donald Trump that boosted resources for immigration enforcement.
The remarks come as protests and calls for independent oversight continue following the Jan. 7 shooting death of Renee Nicole Good, 37, in south Minneapolis. Federal officials said the agent, Jonathan Ross, fired in self-defense after Good "weaponized her vehicle."
Local leaders and community activists have disputed key parts of the federal account, pointing to eyewitness video and demanding the release of full footage and investigative records. The family of Good has retained legal counsel and has called for more transparency from federal authorities.
Questions about cameras and footage have become central to the public backlash. Records and reporting released in recent days indicate Good suffered multiple gunshot wounds and that some of the video made public so far was captured on an officer's cellphone rather than a standardized body-worn device, adding to criticism that the federal response has lacked consistent documentation.
ICE has rolled out body-worn cameras unevenly for years, with pilot deployments in select locations and broader expansion tied to funding and operational logistics. ICE's own body-worn camera directive, effective Jan. 12, 2024, sets policies for use, training, retention, and when recording is expected during enforcement activity, while also noting that enterprisewide implementation depends on appropriated resources.
In Congress, lawmakers have periodically pushed legislation to require immigration officers and agents to use body cameras, including the ICE and CBP Body Camera Accountability Act. Civil rights advocates argue mandatory use would improve accountability during arrests, traffic stops and other encounters that can quickly escalate.
The Minneapolis shooting has also intensified friction between federal and local authorities over investigative control.
Minnesota officials have said they have been blocked from participating in the inquiry and have been unable to access key evidence, with the FBI and federal prosecutors leading the investigation.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has urged the federal government to allow state involvement, calling the lack of coordination unacceptable in a case that has sparked national attention.
The expansion of ICE funding under President Donald Trump's domestic policy agenda has amplified the stakes of the debate, with supporters arguing increased resources are needed for enforcement and opponents warning that rapid growth without stronger oversight could heighten the risk of violent encounters.
Theodore Bunker ✉
Theodore Bunker, a Newsmax writer, has more than a decade covering news, media, and politics.
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