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The United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, announced on Monday that the department she leads will begin installing body cameras on all field agents of ICE and Border Patrol in Minneapolis, effective immediately.
The announcement was made through a message posted on her official account on X after speaking with Tom Homan, the designated "border czar": “Effective immediately, we are installing body cameras on all field agents in Minneapolis. As funding becomes available, the program will expand nationwide,” Noem wrote.
According to the official, the goal is to quickly acquire and install these devices in all law enforcement agencies of the DHS in the country, calling the Trump administration “the most transparent in history.”
Measure after scrutiny due to recent shootings
The decision comes amid growing controversy in Minnesota, where federal agents have faced intense scrutiny following several violent incidents during immigration operations.
The announcement comes after a wave of national outrage over the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both civilians shot in Minneapolis by federal agents during the so-called "Operation Metro Surge."
Various state authorities have questioned the lack of federal transparency in the investigation and have demanded access to evidence and recordings.
National expansion will depend on financing
Noem indicated that the expansion of the program at the national level will depend on the availability of funds, although she assured that the DHS will expedite the acquisition of cameras for agents across the country.
The implementation of body cameras for immigration agents has been a recurring demand from civil groups and lawmakers, especially following allegations of excessive use of force and operations involving undercover agents.
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