Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced that federal immigration agents in Minneapolis will begin wearing body cameras immediately, with plans to expand the policy nationwide as funding allows.
Noem posted on X that she had discussions with Tom Homan, the White House border czar; Todd Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and Rodney Scott, the commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. She mentioned that the change they discussed is “effective immediately.”
“As funding is available, the body camera program will be expanded nationwide,” Noem wrote. “We will rapidly acquire and deploy body cameras to DHS law enforcement across the country.”
I just spoke with @RealTomHoman @ICEDirector @CBPCommissioner. Effective immediately we are deploying body cameras to every officer in the field in Minneapolis.
As funding is available, the body camera program will be expanded nationwide. We will rapidly acquire and deploy body…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) February 2, 2026
Democratic lawmakers have said they are withholding support for longer-term Department of Homeland Security funding unless changes are made to ICE practices. Among the demands outlined by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer are mandatory body cameras, an end to roving patrols, stricter warrant requirements, a universal use-of-force code, and a prohibition on officers wearing masks, according to The Hill.
President Donald Trump also appeared to voice support, saying during a White House event that body cameras “generally tend to be good for law enforcement because people can’t lie about what’s happening,” according to The Guardian.
The Senate voted Friday to fund several agencies through September and to extend DHS funding for two weeks.
