In January 2026, two U.S. citizens — Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti — were killed in separate encounters involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Their deaths have shaken communities and sparked protests, lawsuits, and urgent questions about accountability.

In at least one case, video evidence and eyewitness accounts reportedly challenged elements of the initial federal description of the shooting. Yet there is still no federal law requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents to wear and activate body cameras during public interactions.

At a time when thousands of federal immigration officers are being rapidly deployed into American cities, transparency cannot be optional.

Body cameras are widely used by state and local police departments because they protect both civilians and officers. They provide an objective record of encounters, help resolve disputes, deter misconduct, and defend officers against false accusations. When lives are lost, families and communities deserve clear answers — not conflicting narratives.

Right now, Congress is negotiating funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and both parties have signaled support for body-worn cameras. The underlying DHS spending bill already includes money for cameras, and Republicans have offered camera funding as a key concession in negotiations with Democrats. Homeland Security leadership has begun issuing cameras in Minneapolis and says it plans to expand use nationally as resources allow.

But there is no law yet requiring that officers actually wear and activate them, and significant questions remain about when cameras must be turned on, how footage will be used, and what safeguards will protect privacy. Without a permanent federal mandate requiring their use, implementation can be delayed, deprioritized, or reversed by future administrations.

In a recent survey of American voters, requiring federal immigration agents to wear body cameras earned overwhelming cross-partisan support — specifically, 90% support from each group including Democrats, Republicans, Independents and those that identify with MAGA. Few issues command that level of agreement.

Accountability should not be partisan. Americans who prioritize constitutional rights and Americans who support strong law enforcement can agree on this: federal officers operating on our streets should follow clear, nationwide transparency standards.

That is why we call on Congress — including the House and Senate Homeland Security Committees — to pass a federal law requiring ICE and CBP agents to wear and activate body cameras during public interactions, with strict safeguards to prevent the use of footage to track or monitor individuals engaged in lawful First Amendment activity.

No matter where we stand on immigration policy, we must stand together for accountability, public trust, and the rule of law.

When Americans lose their lives, transparency should never be optional.