ICE Is Getting Body Cameras. But Will They Help Hold Agents Accountable?

All Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field agents will be equipped with body cameras by the end of the month, acting ICE Director David Venturella said. However, the footage acquired by the devices would only be released to the public if it is in “the best interests of the agency,” according to ICE. The policy raises questions about how body cameras are meant to be used in law enforcement, as well as whom they are meant to protect.Venturella said in his statement last week that the body cameras would help the agency uphold its commitment to “transparency and accountability.” However, a spokesperson for ICE tells TIME that the body cameras are needed because “the media and sanctuary politicians consistently spread smears about our law enforcement.”This raises the question: Are the cameras meant to hold ICE agents accountable—or protect the agency?White House “border czar” Tom Homan indicated that the cameras could be useful for both purposes, saying “body cameras are the way to go” to increase transparency between the agency and the public—but they can also provide insights about split-second behavior under high pressure in the field.“I think body cameras let the American p...