ICE resumes nationwide traffic stops under new policy requiring body cameras

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers across the country have been told they can resume traffic stops under new guidance issued Thursday, but only if at least one officer involved is wearing a body camera, sources tell Fox News.

The guidance comes after the White House publicly confirmed Thursday that ICE vehicle stops are continuing.

Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin are "on the same page" that traffic stops remain "a necessary tool" for ICE agents carrying out the administration's deportation campaign.

"Vehicle stops are a necessary tool that ICE agents need in order to continue their deportation campaign of the worst of the worst illegal alien criminals from our country," Leavitt said. "With respect to body cameras, I know there's been some questions about that in recent days. Over half of all ICE field offices now do have body cameras."

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The new directive means officers without access to body cameras are not authorized to conduct traffic stops. Body cameras have not yet been deployed to every ICE field office after the rollout began in the agency's largest cities.

The policy is expected to continue limiting the number of ICE traffic stops that can be conducted nationwide until the rollout is complete, a process sources say is expected to take roughly two more months.

"ICE will ensure each arrest team has an individual wearing a body camera," a DHS spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News. "Ensuring all of our ICE law enforcement officers have body cameras nationwide is a top priority for DHS — especially given the increase in attacks against our law enforcement, including a more than 1,300% increase in assaults against them and a 3,300% increase in vehicle attacks.

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"This is especially needed because the media and sanctuary politicians consistently spread smears about our law enforcement."

The spokesperson added, "The process of purchasing and issuing body-worn cameras to all of our ICE field offices was interrupted by the Democrats' multiple government shutdowns. Body cameras have been deployed to more than half the field offices with the remaining half expected to receive them in less than 60 days."

Leavitt likewise said Thursday that more than half of ICE field officers are now equipped with bodycams, and that the remaining offices are expected to receive them within 60 days.

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She attributed the slower-than-expected rollout to what she described as Democrats' decision to shut down DHS for several weeks.

The guidance marks the latest operational change for ICE as the agency expands its use of body cameras while resuming a key immigration enforcement tactic under President Donald Trump's second administration.